Take with a grain of salt ... and apparently cayenne

In preparation for the annual holiday eating spree, which kicks off pretty darned soon, the folks from Metabolife have passed on some dietary tips that they say help keeps your metabolism stoked:

Nutrition experts have long suggested that a combination of the right foods with exercise keep the metabolism high. Obesity expert and researcher on the Metabolife Break Through clinical trials, Dr. Soren Toubro, suggests the following tips for keeping metabolism high during the holidays:

· Eat 4-5 small meals during the day.
· Choose spicy foods.
· Eat whole foods, over processed ones.
· Avoid simple sugars and processed flour.
· Nosh on a nutritious and filling small meal before you leave for a holiday party.
· Drink at least 12 ounces of pure, fresh water before each meal (your stomach won’t know the difference between fullness created from water or food!).
· Scan the buffet table first before making food choices.
· Choose the high protein foods first, things like fish and meats. Eat that plate first, then return for carbohydrate foods such as potatoes and stuffing.
· Skip the bread.