Foods to Give You Energy!
Gosh, I wish I had know all this years ago. You know that feeling, you drag yourself out of bed every morning, you go through the day in a fog, and you can’t wait to get home from work so you can get to bed or get some rest. The last thin you want to do is play with the kids, do homework or make dinner!
For years and years that was how I felt. I stumbled by from one day to another, wondering how I was going to make it through to the weekend. It would take me hitting my snooze button at least four times before I could drag myself out of bed every morning. I would dread having to get up. I was on a tight schedule and had to “fly” as I was getting ready for work, flew down the highway to work, and it seemed that at work it went from one important project to another without time to take a breath. By the time lunch came, I rushed through, went back to work and worked through the afternoon the same way. What was I going to do when I got home – there was dinner to think about, homework to help the children with, stuff to do around the house and little time for much else? Then the merry-go-round carried on the next day, and the next. I felt as if my life was passing me by and there seemed to be no end in sight.
It’s awful when you feel drained all the time and you can’t take time “to smell the roses.”
It was like a light bulb went off after I went to college and learned about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. I can honestly say it changed my life. Eating now gives me energy and it’s sustainable energy so that I don’t feel as if I am dragging throughout the day. What a difference the way you eat can make.
Let’s be honest. You need loads of energy to get through your day. When you feel like slacking or low on energy, you most likely need to get some nutrient-dense foods in your system.
Here are some foods that will give you a quick boost of lasting energy without the crash.
1. Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is one of the easiest and most delicious meals ever. Oatmeal contains the healthy type of carbs that are a great source of energy. They help metabolize the energy in your body by providing nutrients like vitamin B, thiamine, folate and niacin. Oatmeal is personalized energy! You can throw in whatever ingredients you like. To enjoy a warm bowl of delicious oatmeal, try this recipe:
Boil two scoops of oatmeal in a pinch of salt, a cup of water, and two tablespoons of peanut butter. Cook until the water is absorbed and it looks a little soupy. You can even sprinkle some black pepper on the top for additional taste and seasoning.
2. Eggs:
Eggs can provide 30% of the protein your body requires and help strengthen and build your muscles. You can use eggs however you like. You can make an omelet, scramble them up, or simply hard-boil them.
3. Yogurt:
Yogurt may be an easy thing to snack on, but it also provides your body with an incredible amount of energy. It’s milk, lactose, and low sugar levels are responsible for the energy, and the protein helps slow food digestion so you can store the energy for a longer period of time.
4. Shrimp:
Shrimp is rich in vitamin B12 and very low in calories. Vitamin B12 helps your body produce energy at a much faster rate. Shrimp also contains omega 3 fatty acids, which help boost your mood and your energy levels.
5. Hummus:
This Mediterranean dish is made from various herbs, spices, and chickpeas. It also contains olive oil, lemon juice, and sesame seed paste. These ingredients provide the nutrients and healthy carbs needed to help our bodies produce energy. They also contain healthy fats and protein, which means that you will be able to store that energy for a longer period of time.
6. Strawberry:
Strawberries contain natural fructose, which gives you a quick yet sustainable boost of energy. You eat them raw or add them to your oatmeal, acai bowls or smoothies.
7. Spinach:
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells. Spinach contains nitrates that are responsible for improving the efficiency of mitochondria, helping provide energy to your cells.
8. Bananas:
Bananas not only provide your body with energy but also help in storing it. They make a perfect snack before you head to the gym.
Try adding some of these foods to your diet to boost your energy levels and power up your body’s performance!
You don’t have to live on that merry-go-round, and it is my goal to make life simpler for you. What if I could give you all the recipes, shopping lists and guide you need to take the hard work out of preparing your meals for the week?
What is I was able to show you ways to save time and energy and yet still eat healthy meals every day without slaving over a hot stove when you get home from work?
P.S. Check out the recipe below. If you just LOVE it, this is just one of the MANY recipes that are available in my Quick & Easy Healthy Recipes which are sent out each month. To learn more >>CLICK HERE<<
TACO SALAD
Makes 6 servings
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 2 c. grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 c. fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
• 1 c. shredded vegan cheese
• 1 c. tortilla strips
• 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed/drained
• 2 c. frozen corn, thawed
• 1 15-oz. black olives, drained
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Optional:
1 pound ground beef, turkey, or chicken
Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette:
• 1 c. fresh cilantro, loosely packed
• 1/4 c. fresh orange juice
• 3 T. fresh lime juice
• 1 T. honey
• 1 t. ground cumin
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
Add yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, cucumber, sea salt and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix well and let it marinate in the refrigerator while preparing the remainder of the ingredients.