Health Nutrition & Diet 7 Healthiest Winter Foods to Give Your Metabolism a Boost, According to a Dietitian Incorporating these foods can help give you more energy, reduce stress, and even help you sleep better. By Carissa Chesanek Carissa Chesanek Carissa Chesanek is a food, spirits, and lifestyle writer with more than 13 years of experience in the industry. She loves researching new trends, chatting with chefs, mixologists, and home experts about their craft, and creating well-researched, fun copy for her readers. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 09, 2024 Close Photo: Kucher AV/Getty Images A healthy metabolism is important for many reasons, and it’s not just about your weight. Your metabolism helps convert food into energy, which not only gets you up and moving, but also aids in digestion, cell repair, and blood circulation. In the winter, our metabolism can take a hit thanks to changes in our mood, sleep, and diet. All of this can result in less energy and motivation. However, there are certain foods to incorporate in your daily meals to help keep your metabolism healthy and going strong. We talked with a nutrition expert to learn which foods give our metabolism a boost during the winter season. 01 of 07 Root Vegetables If you’re a fan of root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and beets, chances are you look forward to this time of year when they are in season and at peak nutrient quality. Plus, these veggies are packed with healthy benefits, too. Jordan Hill, MCD, RD, CSSD, Lead Registered Dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching explains, “[Root vegetables] provide a great source of fiber and complex carbohydrates to keep sustained energy level throughout the day, ultimately supporting a healthy and well-functioning metabolism.” 02 of 07 Green Tea and Matcha Nothing soothes the body during the long, cold months quite like a warm beverage. While comforting, this warming effect can also help speed up your metabolism while your body works to maintain your internal temperature. Two particularly healthy drink options during the winter are green tea and matcha because they are known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, Hill says. “Many teas contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, E, K, potassium, calcium, iron), which are important for several processes in the body.” Sip on These 7 Types of Tea to Help Soothe Inflammation 03 of 07 Bone Broth Another warm sip for the winter is bone broth, which, like tea, hydrates, warms, and boosts your metabolism. But it comes with its own added benefits, too. “Bone broth is rich in gelatin and amino acids, which help to support gut health and help repair the lining of the digestive tract,” says Hill. “Gelatin, a cooked form of collagen, also assists in soft tissue maintenance and repair.“ 04 of 07 Cherries If you are one of the many out there who have trouble sleeping, your metabolism can be affected. One way to help is by incorporating more cherries into your diet. “Cherries, particularly tart cherries or cherry juice, are one of the few natural food sources of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles,” says Hill. 05 of 07 Kiwi If cherries aren’t your thing, or you’re looking for other foods to help get a better night's sleep, you might want to add a few kiwis to your cart the next time you’re shopping. “Kiwi is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C and serotonin, which have been associated with improved sleep quality and duration,” says Hill. “Consuming kiwi before bedtime may help support better sleep.” 06 of 07 Peppermint Peppermint has long been known to help with digestion. However, this powerful plant has other benefits like reducing symptoms of bloating and allowing the muscles to relax, Hill explains. 07 of 07 Papaya According to Hill, papaya may also have properties to help with digestion as it contains an enzyme called papain, which aids in the digestion of proteins. “Eating papaya or taking papaya enzyme supplements may be a promising way to help improve digestion and alleviate symptoms of indigestion,” she says, but cautions that more research is still needed. Health More Ways to Give Your Metabolism a Boost Besides eating healthy this winter, there are other everyday habits to help keep your boost your metabolism. Moderate-intensity exercise every week and moving throughout the day (especially if you’re sitting for work) is key, as is building lean muscle with strength training at least three times a week. Enjoy some sunlight in the morning to help your body wake up and regulate your metabolism (not to mention put you in a good mood). And getting enough sleep is also important. Aim for seven to nine hours each night, and try your best to maintain that sleep schedule for the best results. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit