Metabolism:

We know it as the secret weapon that helps us burn calories.

Get inspired, because we can help it burn even more calories just by the foods we eat — no hours on the treadmill required (although that helps, too).

Pamela Peek, author of The Hunger Fix, said we can burn up to 300 extra calories a day by choosing the right foods. So what are these mysterious, calorie burning foods and beverages?

The trick is to go for whole, unrefined foods. It requires more energy for your metabolism to break down whole foods than it does processed foods, so it burns more calories in the process.

Salmon

Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient your metabolism loves. Omega-3 fatty acids help build muscle. More muscles working means more calories being burned.

Beans

Research done by the University of Colorado said beans could help increase the amount of calories burned by 24 percent.

Turkey

The lean protein found in turkey is a win for your metabolism. Keep your turkey lower in calories by removing the skin.

Got Milk?

In a study conducted by the University of Tennessee, dieters who consumed 1200-1300 mg of calcium, or the equivalent of roughly four cups of milk per day, lost twice as much weight than dieters who consumed less calcium.

Cup o’ Joe

Caffeine increases your heart rate which in turn increases your metabolism by up to 15 percent, according to the Huffington Post. Keep your coffee low in calories by using skim milk and limiting sweeteners.

Immune System:

Final exams are rapidly approaching and the only thing worse than taking finals is being sick during finals week. Don’t be the person coughing and sniffling throughout the exam.

Honey

The benefits of honey are endless, starting with helping to soothe sore throats and containing antioxidants that are a key to fighting infections.

Tea

For maximum health benefits, try green or black tea, which are high in antioxidants.

Chicken Noodle Soup

There is a reason we all run to chicken noodle soup when we get sick. It works as a mucus stimulant to aid in clearing nasal congestion.

Fruits and Veggies

No one can deny that vitamins in fruits and vegetables work wonders on your immune system. Vitamin A, for example, found in carrots and potatoes, aids your white blood cells in combating infections.