Not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each day can also contribute to the slowing of your metabolism.

Insufficient sleep can have an impact on insulin sensitivity, which has been linked to cravings for more sugary foods.

Processed foods contain high amounts of sodium, sugar and other additives which interfere with the natural fat burning process in our body.

The high sugar content in such foods interferes with the fat burning enzyme, lipase, which then slows down the metabolism rate.

Eating food rich in iron is especially important to boost metabolism in women. Iron is an essential mineral that transports oxygen to our muscles to burn fat.

But women lose iron during menstruation each month. The lack of iron in your diet can lead to fatigue, loss of appetite and a slowdown in your metabolism rate.  

While it is counter productive to drink coffee by the cups, a small amount of caffeine has been proven to boost your metabolism.

Around 150mg of caffeine stimulates the central nervous system which then leads to an increase in your metabolism rate.

However, too much coffee can lead to upset stomachs and trouble sleeping, which can slow down the metabolism rate.

Breakfast jump starts your metabolism and tells your body it’s time to get up and go. 

If you skip breakfast, you tend to overeat later in the day and can contribute to you feeling more tired throughout the day. 

Instead of snacking on chips and other foods that don’t add to your nutrient count, snack on things like fresh fruit and yoghurt instead. 

Eating foods high in nutrition helps your metabolism work more efficiently.

Our bodies are made up of approximately 55 to 65 per cent water so if you’re not drinking enough water yourself, your body won’t be functioning at its most optimum level. 

Whether it’s walking for 30 minutes straight or simply climbing the stairs to get home, these little things could help boost your metabolism. 

A sedentary lifestyle encourages your metabolism to relax instead of working harder so make it a point to get in some exercise time. 

We know it seems counterintuitive but not eating enough can actually cause you to gain weight. 

Eating enough protein and other nutrients can help to regulate the chemicals reactions in your body and encourage your metabolism to work harder. 

Eating artificial sweeteners means introducing artificial chemicals into your body, altering your tummy’s microbiome makeup. 

Instead, opt for natural sweeteners like manuka honey.