If you’re on a weight loss journey, you may wonder, “can you get a faster metabolism?”. You might already be using the best exercise machines to lose weight, such as a treadmill, cycling bike or a rower, knowing these brilliant pieces of kit can help you torch some calories – and fast. But, along with exercise and your diet, could there be another tried and tested way to aid your weight loss and boost your body’s metabolism to burn fat quicker?

To learn more about whether you can get a faster metabolism, how your metabolism works and whether eating certain types of food can help you speed it up, we’ve looked at the current research surrounding the issue. We’ve also spoken to certified dietician, Theresa Gentile, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Here’s what our expert and science had to say.

What is metabolism?

The term ‘metabolism’ can broadly be defined as the biochemical process in your body that converts what you eat and drink into energy.

Whether you’re sleeping, breathing, pumping blood around your body or repairing your cells, this internal metabolic process takes place around the clock. While doing so, your body burns a number of calories. This is called your basal or resting metabolic rate – otherwise described as the amount of energy your body needs to stay alive and function.

Scientists at Harvard Health believe your basal metabolic rate depends on a few things including your age and genetics. This is one of the reasons why some bodies naturally have a ‘fast metabolism’ which burns more calories at rest, while some people have a ‘slower metabolism’, where fewer calories are burned at rest.

However, your body is not always in this state. Therefore it needs energy for when it’s performing activities too, such as exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your daily calorie expenditure comes from all the activities you perform in a day, in addition to your basal metabolic rate.

Can you get a ‘faster’ metabolism?

According to scientists, there are ways in which you can boost your metabolism — or utilize more energy.

Eating a diet rich of fiber and protein

The benefits of fibrous foods such as root vegetables and protein sources like eggs have long been known. According to Gentile, eating a good amount of them could also speed up your metabolism.

“Fiber and protein can slightly increase metabolism as they increase the body's need for energy to digest these nutrients,” Gentile says. “Protein, especially, can induce a higher rate of diet-induced thermogenesis.”