Boosting Energy With Food
July 17, 2009
After a hard day’s work, we become tired. However, some of us become tired too fast, whereas you will find there are others who never seem to be hit by fatigue. Fatigue not only squeezes energy from our body, but it also leads to depression and slows down our mental function.
Certain foods can help to lift our mood and instantly fill our body with energy. Energy boosting nutrients not only provide the much needed calorie, which our body burns to produce energy, but they also lift our mood by raising the level of feel good neurotransmitters.
Caffeine
To replenish your drained energy instantly, drink a cup of hot coffee or tea. The caffeine present in these beverages promptly raises the body’s metabolism.
Do you stay away from carbohydrate rich foods from the fear of gaining weight? But carbohydrates are the best energy boosting foods for our body. Carbohydrates are also known to improve mood by increasing the serotonin level in the brain. Without cutting down carbohydrates in your diet, you should eat adequate amount of good carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain products are good energy boosters. Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as sugar rich sweets and refined grain products. Simple carbohydrates are rapidly absorbed in the body. Consequently, the insulin level ebb and flow fast, making us prone to exhaustion and mood swings.
Magnesium
Our body needs magnesium to convert sugar into energy. Magnesium rich foods can prevent fatigue. You can find magnesium in whole grains, especially in the bran; nuts including cashews, almonds, hazelnuts and seafood are rich in magnesium.
Selenium
This trace mineral is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to lift our mood and as well as physical energy. You will find selenium in whole grains, seafood, beans, meat and nuts.
This powerful antioxidant is present in sea fish; especially cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna and cod are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are dark green leafy vegetables and nuts.
Dietary fibers
By slowing the speed of digestion, fiber rich food works as a steady energy supply source. Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables are rich sources of dietary fiber.
I am one of those people that becomes tired mid day. I finally realize after reading this post and many others that everything I do is just wrong. As a working mom I’m constantly on the go. I’ve never been a breakfast eater, but it is now catching up with me. Just no energy ever. I have tried supplement drinks to mix into a smoothie, etc. but just cannot be consistant with them. I know I just need to improve my overall diet. I ask myself what happened to the young woman that could party all night, wake at the crack of dawn and continue all day. Now the alarm goes off at 5:40 I lay there till 6 and rush around and ready to hit the bed for a nap at 11:00, but cant. Then ready for bed at 9. No energy. Must and will add these food to my diet daily.