What you eat, or don’t eat, can significantly influence your energy level.
Consuming too few calories, skipping meals and overeating can cause lethargy, physical weakness and depressed moods. A diet based on healthy foods, consumed at regular intervals, helps you reach and maintain positive natural energy levels.
Other important factors include sufficient sleep, regular exercise, managing stress and partaking in enjoyable activities. If your energy challenges are severe, seek guidance from a health care professional.
Lets look at foods and drinks that will give you natural energy:
1. Whole Grains
Whole grains provide valuable fiber, nutrients and glucose, which is your top dietary source of energy. While sugary sweets and processed snack foods also provide glucose, they will disrupt your blood sugar levels and lead to energy spikes and declines. Whole grains digest slower than refined carbohydrates, and provide the opposite effect. Nutritious whole grain foods include 100 percent whole grain breads, cereals and pasta; steel-cut oats; air-popped popcorn; pearled barley; quinoa; and wild and brown rice.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables, like whole grains, provide glucose and a variety of potent nutrients.
Upping your intake of antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can help improve your moods and cognitive function, important factors for optimum energy.
Consume fresh, whole fruits and vegetables rather than juices, dried fruit and canned fruit stored in heavy syrup, which may offset your blood sugar levels. Pure fruit or vegetable juices, consumed with other slower-digesting foods, such as whole grains, can help prevent these imbalances.
Fruits and vegetables particularly high in antioxidants include berries, cherries, citrus fruits, kiwi, tomatoes, leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, artichokes, red and green bell peppers and winter squash.
3. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, lake trout, flounder, halibut, herring and sardines, are top dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are healthy fats that promote positive heart-health and brain function.
Consume at least one quality source of omega-3 fats daily for improved cognitive function, mood balance and energy. As protein-rich food, fatty fish also promotes blood sugar balance and sustained energy between meals.
Replace saturated fat sources, such as fatty red and processed meats, with fatty fish for added heart-healthy benefits.
4. Fluids
Maintain proper hydration throughout the day for positive energy levels. Mild to moderate dehydration often causes tiredness, low activity levels, light-headedness and dizziness.
To avoid these risks, consume water, low-fat milk, herbal tea and broth-based soups regularly. Though people’s specific fluid needs vary, many professionals recommend 8 to 10 cups of water or other fluid daily, or until your urine appears pale yellow or translucent.
Low-fat milk, provides the added benefit of protein and calcium. Avoid highly caffeinated, sugary and alcoholic beverages, which may disrupt or prevent positive energy levels and cause dehydration.
While caffeine may supply a temporary energy boost, it does not make up for energy loss related to poor nutrition or lack of sleep.
Supplement for Enhanced Energy
Follow the Manna Diet to improve energy levels the natural way. Take the Manna Energy Boost supplement, because this product is formulated with ingredients which will boost your energy levels, without increasing blood sugar levels or spiking insulin production. This product is excellent for diabetics.
