I know that there have been times in my life that I would do ANYTHING for a little more energy!
I’ve been exhausted, both physically and mentally, scraping the bucket, (that is already dry) for more energy. Not to mention the number of times I have hit a wall around 2 pm or after killing it at the gym but not eating enough to replenish my energy and feeling irritable, sluggish, and wiped out for the rest of the day!!
The thing is, getting more energy can sometimes be a matter of avoiding foods that drain your energy- yes, food can drain you of energy!
How?
Take pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar, and baked goods... Sure, we crave these foods when we have starved for too long and can feel a boost of energy at the moment when we eat them, but Starchy Carbs and refined carbs like these can cause a rise in blood sugar and a drop in insulin. This is why you get sleepy after a big bowl of pasta or why you feel fatigued and weak the day after consuming too much of these babies.
Having balanced blood sugar is the key to sustaining and creating consistent energy and so we need to eat in a way that balances out Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Healthy Fats as well as contains substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals. That's right, I am talking about eating fruits and veggies again.
A well-balanced meal can keep you fueled for as long as four hours!
What Foods actually DRAIN our Energy? Foods Like:
-Cereal
-Low-fat flavoured yogurt
-Fruit juice
-Refined carbohydrates -and processed foods
Because I never like to end on a negative, here is a list of foods that WILL balance your blood sugar and give you more energy. Choose foods from this list instead:
TOP 10 foods that will give you energy:
Oats
Berries
Avocado
Sesame Seeds, flax seeds, chia, and other sources of fibre.
Salmon and other fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, tuna)
Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
Sweet Potato and/or Squash
Hummus
Brown Rice
Chicken, Turkey
Why does our energy go up and down all day?
This comes down to our circadian rhythm. Our internal body clock governs when each cell in our body works and when each rest. Depending on what you eat, how you move, how hydrated you are, and how well-rested you are, you may find you have greater energy fluctuations than others.
Another really important factor in energy is the efficiency of our elimination as elimination is the mechanism by which we remove toxins from the body. When we do not eliminate properly, we can get more sluggish. This is a major reason why people feel so exhausted. (They are too pooped to poop.)
My hope is that you feel the difference in your energy when you begin to integrate more of the foods above into your dietary lifestyle.
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Marissa, R.H.N.