Do the Foods You Eat Boost Your Energy?

This month in my private ladies Facebook group, our topic of conversation is along the lines of how to have more natural energy.

Along those lines, we are going to talk about food and habits to boost energy in this week’s email:

If you have read my emails and followed me for a while, I tell a story about how poor my energy levels were. They started for me in my teens with an autoimmune disease, and this fatigue followed me all my life. By my forties, I had adrenal fatigue and felt I would never “dig myself out of that hole.”

That changed for me after I went to study nutrition and health at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I learned so much…..and my life changed so much. When I first started along this path, I even noticed that small changes and swaps could make a huge difference. For me, finding this sustainable energy (not just through foods) meant I no longer fell asleep at my desk (having seemingly no control to stop myself), and I no longer had to rely on coffee and caffeine-laden sodas, or sugary treats to give me “fake energy.” No, I found the real deal!

This week though, we are talking about boosting your energy with food and habits.

Boosting your Energy

If the body is an engine, then food is its fuel. Food gives the body the energy it needs to function. If we don’t make sure the fuel we pump through our system is the right quality and quantity, we’re going to run ourselves right onto the scrap heap. (Which is what I was doing for all those years.)

The foods we eat affect our weight, mood, energy level, brain function, sex drive, and sleeping patterns.
                                                                                                                  – Kris Carr, Hungry for Change

Think about it. When we lack energy, we lack motivation – the motivation to exercise and the motivation to focus on healthier habits. As you’ve probably experienced, everything seems more difficult when you feel tired and worn out.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Consistency is key.

How do you start your day?

Do you roll out of bed and head to the kitchen first thing in the morning to start the coffee brewing? Many people have to start their day with a boost of caffeine to get going.

When you start with your morning coffee for that boost of energy, what happens later? You’re less likely to eat a quality breakfast that gives you long-term fuel and more likely, you feel tired by late morning or early afternoon. Then you need another quick energy boost and often choose it in the form of more caffeine or in the form of processed or sugar-filled foods. Sometimes with both – the coffee and the sugar-filled treat.

When you drink caffeine to boost your energy, you’re actually running on borrowed energy, meaning it isn’t stored energy you can draw on when you need it later. (Yes, just like the “fake news” we hear so much about, this is “fake energy!”)

Natural Energy Boosters

If you feel like you need the boost, we will take a look at what you may be able to do to improve your energy naturally and eventually not need to rely on the caffeine fix.

Some other morning beverage options include: transitioning to decaf coffee or diving into the world of teas. There are so many incredible flavors of teas to choose from and many offer the added benefit of containing antioxidants.

1. If you aren’t sure where to start, try an organic green tea and see what you think and experiment from there. (It has a little natural caffeine which will help if you are transitioning)
2. Opt for a delicious green smoothie to get a nice big dose of vitamins and minerals (plus fiber and phytonutrients too) that should give you a natural energy boost.
3. Stay hydrated. The average human body is estimated to be about 60-70 percent water?

Since we continuously lose water through urination, our skin (through perspiration or sweat), and even just through the process of breathing, it’s critical we replace this important essential nutrient regularly each day.

• Start your day first thing in the morning with a large glass of fresh water to rehydrate your body and brain.
• Drink water regularly throughout the day. (Recommendations now are to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water per day is ideal.)
• If you just don’t like water, consider adding some real fruit to your water, such as slices of limes, lemons and grapefruit are all amazing additions.

Pro Tip: The easiest way for me to remember to drink more water is to keep a water bottle by my side throughout the day.

If you aren’t drinking enough water, you reduce brain function. You can also expect to see thinner skin and more fine lines and wrinkles.
                                                                                                      – Daniel G. Amen, M.D. author, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body

So tell me, what will you do out of these few ideas to increase your energy levels this week. Hit reply and let me know.

See your energizing recipe below.

P.S.  If you want more recipes, tips for healthy living, and ways to successfully lose weight, join me in my private Facebook group to midlife women.