Hack your metabolism: a snack by snack guide

Have you ever asked yourself: why do some people have no trouble staying lean throughout their lives, while others struggle to control their fitness levels?

There is a scientific backing for why numbers may mean little when it comes to figuring out how much and what we are supposed to eat. All calories are not equal: where we source energy from has a direct impact on how our bodies process it. The chemical reactions that transform food we eat into energy, channel it into building cells and in a way, detoxify our bodies, are deemed “metabolism”.

Metabolism is highly influenced by our everyday habits like activity levels, how much water we drink, and even sleep quality. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle all-around is essential to ensure that all the processes run smoothly and without disruptions in our bodies. Boosting metabolism means improving absorption of essential microelements and vitamins, along with making maintaining healthy weight a lot easier.

Keep in mind that constant close proximity food is a rather new thing. Historically, eating was mindful, food - appreciated and sometimes scarce. Snacking in its modern meaning was first mentioned in the 18th century, and the plural form (“snax”) came into our vocabulary with the rise of vending machines in the 1940s. Aside from the stores being closed on Sundays in certain regions, 6 days a week the supermarkets are closer than ever. If you are reading this article, you probably have one within a two-songs long walking distance - nothing like the life of our predecessors.

Why is this switch so central in the history of food culture and the evolution of our metabolism?

For one thing, as we just alluded to, it is about the impact that frequency of eating has on human body in general. Regardless of the size, every piece that finds its way into the gut, starts a row of physical processes such as release of digestive enzymes and insulin production. If these switches are turned on and off too frequently, one’s appropriate feeling of hunger gradually deteriorates.

Once that is clear, we have to give credit to the principal importance of food quality for metabolism. Here is a concise list of elements essential to keeping our bodies up and running as they should.

• PROTEIN. Our bodies burn more energy digesting protein that fats or carbohydrates due to a higher Thermic Effect - the amount of energy needed for absorbing, digesting and processing food. It is also essential for cellular processes and activation of satiety hormones, so that eating a bit more protein increases your metabolic rate, keeps you full for longer and sustains muscle mass.
• MUSCLES. Activity = burning calories, that is clear. Yet increasing the amount of energy your body burns in the resting state can be equally beneficial. Since it needs considerably more energy than fat, having a higher muscle mass gradually increases your metabolic rate., so that even on the days you´re not working out, you can consume more calories without gaining undesired weight.
• MINERALS. Selenium and iron help your thyroid gland regulate hormones, responsible for metabolism - seeds are one of the foods rich in them, along with magnesium and zinc.
• VITAMINS. Correct combinations of vitamins and minerals drastically increases their absorption, and so it is with Iron+Vitamin C.

Why let snacks be a guilty pleasure if they can be a delight for our soul and health? AHARAbars are rich in plant protein, nutritious and gut-friendly snacks fuelled with VItamins C & E and the power of adaptogens. Helping people get through the day in one piece - piece by piece!