11 Ways You Are Ruining Your Metabolism Slideshow

Certain lifestyle choices have the potential to either hurt or help your metabolism.

Sleep affects your metabolism from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. If you are sleep deprived, your body has a harder time managing its blood sugar levels.

In attempt to lose weight, many of us skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner and graze throughout the day instead. However, Dr. Freedhoff of Weighty Matters explains that how frequently you eat has little to do with your BMI. It is more about the quality and quantity of your diet.

Staying hydrated positively affects all aspects of your body, and research has shown that drinking an adequate amount of water helps your body burn calories quicker and more efficiently. 

In order to burn calories and stay mobile, your body needs energy. Protein gives you energy; therefore, high protein consumption can result in a quicker caloric burn on a day-to-day basis.

Calling all coffee lovers! A proper BMI upkeep is all about boosting you body, and luckily, caffeine does just that. Drinking coffee has been shown to jumpstart the body, giving it the ability to burn calories more quickly.

A lot of store-bought fruit juices are packed with sugar and loaded with chemicals. Dr. Axe explains that just as caffeine speeds up any process in your body, sugar slows it down. When it comes to boosting metabolism, it is recommended to consume foods and liquids that allow your body to function faster.

Sorry, peanut butter-lovers: This tasty treat is filled with omega-6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation, slowing down the body's processes as well. Still need your creamy fix? Opt for almond butter.

Certain chemical sweeteners have been shown to cause an increase in appetite and cravings for carbohydrates, which are difficult for your body to break down. This results in a slower metabolism.

Yes, you should probably avoid sugary foods with lots of calories. However, just because a food is high in calories does not mean that it is not good for your metabolism. In fact, natural fats provide your body with energy, giving it the kick-start it needs to speed things up.

Despite what many people believe, cardio is not the only style of exercise that will assist your body in boosting your metabolism.

Mental health is closely linked to physical wellbeing. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol that causes the body to go into damage control, resulting in extra fat storage and a slower metabolism.