What foods can I add to my diet to boost my metabolism?

[JingleyJen]

at all time low - putting on 2lb's a week
keep cutting down food but know that is the wrong thing to do (I look at WW point system am eating 10 ish points each day)

need to kick start things.

I'd say do more excercise rather than eating different foods. Just walking to the shops or school, or taking the stairs instead osf a lift.
Apart from that, I do remember an urban myth that it takes more calories to digest celery than it actually contains

exercise increases your metabolism more than any food will. I also heard that caffiene increases metabolism but don't know how accurate this is.

Thanks - at the moment I walk about 4 miles a day with the buggy to and from school x2 in between times I am up and about doing housework and looking after a 15 month old.
I am not just making excuses without pounding the streets whilst DS1 is at school.
Anyone got fitness DVD recommendations?

I know there are various minerals and supplements that can help kick start metabolism. I have a v good book called "The Fat Flush Plan" (attractive title!) which works on that basis. Maybe you can find someone selling a cheapy version on ebay or the amazon marketplace?

here and here

and here

Jen - think you are not eating enough points.

Minimum recommendation is 16 points a day. You could do 14 a day if you are saying going out for a meal at the weekend and you wanted to save some points for this occasion.

btw, if you are really dieting, your metabolism will slow DOWN, not increase.... and you mustn't skip meals...

Agree with tp, 10 points is way too low. Points also have to be based on existing weight. If I was only eating 10 pts a day I would not have the energy to walk 4 miles. Is there a reason you are cutting down so harshly?

Any iodine rich foods will help stimulate your thyroid and raise your metabolic rate - but too much can cause palpitations, anxiety and sleeplessness.

You're not eating enough to lose weight, your body will think it's going to need the fat so keep hold of it, you'll just send it into starvation mode.

You need to eat a good breakfast, porridge is one of the best, a standard lunch and the same with dinner, snack on things in between if need be, but things that would have no point value.

With the walking you're doing you should lose weight easily if you up your food intake.

Jen - why don't you make yourself some 0 point soup. I always find the thicker I make it the more it fills me up.

I have a cupful when I am making lunch or dinner and then I am not tempted to snack on the things that I am using for the meals.

I am 5ft and my weight is 8st 3lb and I can have 18 points.

Hana - If I don't watch what I eat then I am prone to piling on the pounds. Being only 5ft - it shows very quickly.

Awww Hana - 'tis nice that you are concerned.

It does not help that my Mum is just under 5ft and very overweight (she wasn't as a girl or in her early 20's) and I worry that I could end up being the same.

As a child I had "puppy fat" and was bullied at school. They used to call me Miss Piggy - hence my MN name now!