What is pro-metabolic eating (and what it’s not)
The Pro Metabolic world is exploding and there is a lot of great, and not so great, information when it comes to this concept of pro-metabolic eating. The biggest misconception in this space is that pro-metabolic is the newest diet that’s fixing many people’s symptoms and hormone imbalances.
BUT pro metabolic is NOT a diet or really even a way of eating, it’s a way of LIVING.
Living in a way that supports the bioenergetic networks of our bodies. This includes nutrient dense foods, supporting blood sugar regulation, eating a balance of macronutrients, a relationship to the outdoors, exposure to natural light, hydration, and emotional well-being.
So what is Pro Metabolic Eating?
Essentially pro- metabolic eating is way of living that supports cellular metabolism, how are cells produce energy, which supports our metabolic system (liver, adrenals, thyroid, gut, etc).
However, a lot of people will jump on the band wagon of pro metabolic eating, heavily influenced by social media, and come across problems such as gaining weight, fatigue, not feeling great, more symptoms which leads to frustration and simply giving up on a healthier mindset. These issues usually arise because it’s conceived as another popular diet, a solution to fix their problems as well as the fact that many are coming from a place of restriction, over supplementation, high stress, and dysregulation.
This is NOT what pro-metabolic is all about.
So today let’s just break it down a bit and go back to the basics so you can start LIVING in a way that supports and repairs a healthy metabolism.
What is Bioenergetics? What is Bioenergetic Nutrition?
Bioenergetics is essentially optimizing the energy networks of our body. When our cell’s produce efficient energy, this allows for our metabolic system to communicate and regulate in an optimized fashion. Our gut can absorb nutrients efficiently, our liver can detoxify, our adrenals respond to stress appropriately, the thyroid thrives, and our hormones are regulated and balanced.
Consuming bioenergetic supporting foods are the key to creating metabolic stability and this is the foundation of a pro-metabolic lifestyle. Bioenergetic nutrition is essentially foods that are nutrient dense, meaning they contain bioavailable nutrients (minerals and vitamins), that support and nourish our cellular health.
So pro metabolic eating + living ultimately gets broken down into 3 main concepts!
1. Pro metabolic eating is a way of lowering cellular or metabolic stress using food as a tool (bionergetic nutrition). This will absolutely look different for everyone but generally requires a balance or mix of macronutrients; consuming quality carbohydrates (not refined), ample protein (mixture of animal and plants), and healthy fats. This of course will look different for everyone and requires taking small steps to see what works best for your body.
Eating regularly to support blood sugar management is also really important. The body loves consistency, that’s it can predict consistent nourishment which reduces stress on the system. Focusing on nourishing the system through consistency of eating helps it feels safe and ultimately will reduce overall metabolic/cellular stress.
2. Focusing on foods that are most nutrient dense, which means that they are bioavailable so easily absorbed and used by our body. Foods that replenish, nourish, and provide the cellular support needed to support the energetic networks – digestion, detoxification, hormone production etc. As we prioritize these foods, it will naturally crowd out foods that aren’t as supportive for your system which can shift cravings, habits, and a mindset on how you approach your plate.
3. Living with the awareness of what is possibly stressful or depleting to the body and prioritizing adding in elements that replenish, nourish, and nurture the system. This ultimately comes down to the basics of prioritizing consistent eating, sleeping, and moving so the body isn’t in a constant state of stress, that depletes our body’s fuel.
So what are some (emphasis on some) bioenergetic foods of focus:
Carbohydrates: squash, sweet potatoes, natural sugars (honey, maple syrup), quality dairy (VAT Pasteurized or raw), occasional grains (sprouted is best) that are soaked and prepared in a way that support digestion, seasonal fruit and cooked veggies
Protein: Quality meat, bone broth/meat stocks, wild caught seafood, oysters, well prepared legumes and beans that are presoaked, cottage cheese and quality dairy, gelatin
Fat: Quality dairy, healthy oils (olive oil, coconut oil, tallow, lard, butter, ghee), avocados
Again, as you integrate and prioritize nutrient dense foods, it will naturally crowd out foods that don’t support your body. So rather than having a mindset of foods being “bad” or “good,” just prioritize foods that aren’t packaged, come from our earth, and will provide ample nutrients. Essentially, whole foods versus products! As you bring foods that nourish your system, you’ll most likely notice a shift in cravings and habits surrounding the choices you make. Getting intune with your body’s messages of what feels good and nourishing, versus depleting and fuel taking, is the best way to navigate supporting your metabolism.
Let’s Wrap it Up
As a reminder, this journey and path of healing your metabolism will look different for everyone. The steps you’ll take, the pace of the journey, and how it looks, will be very different for every individual. At the end of day it’s about connecting more deeply with your body’s needs and creating an approach of nourishment that creates an internal environment of safety. This is how the body repairs, heals, and creates resiliency!