Stimulate your Metabolism

Here are Jillian Michaels' favorite foods that help to stimulate your metabolism.

Beans: Dried beans contain what is known as “resistant starch," which produces more of a sense of fullness. They also cause a very slow blood sugar rise, helping your metabolism function more evenly and effectively.

Garlic: A member of the allium family, garlic contains glutathione, which helps the liver clear out hormone-disrupting chemicals that can slow the metabolism.

Berries: Berries contain anthocyanins, which studies have found to have metabolism-boosting properties. They also encourage fat cells to release a hormone that reduces inflammation, lowers blood sugar and can reverse insulin and leptin resistance.

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables have high fiber and high water content, a combination that helps you feel full and increases your body’s ability to burn fat.

Whole grains: Whole grains like oats and barley are loaded with nutrients and can help control your appetite. The short-chain fatty acids in whole grains stimulate fat cells in our stomachs to release leptin, the satiety hormone. And whole grain fiber also helps us feel full by slowing blood-sugar release and steadying insulin levels.