Foods That Help Keep You Energized!
It's all about the blood sugar levels -
Feeding your body well is essential. So rather than reaching for yet another cup o’ joe, here is our list of 5 energy-rich foods you should incorporate into your diet. It's ALL about keeping the blood sugars "stable", which gives you more energy! Sustained and time released energy.
EggsDid you know that eggs contain the highest complete form of protein than any other food? And don’t think that protein is only good for maintaining muscle mass; protein is essential for keeping your energy levels up, keeping you fuller longer, and it doesn’t cause a spike your blood sugar. Whether you eat eggs scrambled or sunny side up, choosing eggs for breakfast is a great way to start your day off right!
Brown rice~Why is brown rice so much healthier for you than white rice? It all goes back to the way the grains are manufactured. White rice starts out brown, but it’s milled to remove the outer layer of the grain where the fiber and nutrients reside. Less fiber means your body converts the carbohydrates into glucose (“energy”) faster than your body needs, causing a spike in excess blood sugar. And when your blood sugar spikes, you can bank on an energy crash an hour or two later. Brown rice on the other hand retains all of the nutrients found in the outer layer of the grain, which helps keep you full without spiking your blood sugar.
Water~Yes, we know that water is not technically a food, but if you want to keep your energy levels up, you have to drink up. When you’re dehydrated, your cells use energy less efficiently, which causes fatigue. To ensure that you’re drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, keep a bottle on your desk, in your car, and anywhere else that will make it easy to reach for. Juices, sodas, and coffee are not substitutes for H2O, but feel free to dress your water up with lemon slices or mint to make it more palatable. Chug a glass of water before doing "paper work"...helps concentration too!
Nuts~Did you know that cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts are rich in protein and magnesium, a mineral that helps convert sugar into energy? If you feel like you’re running low on energy, try incorporating more magnesium- rich foods into your diet. Just remember a "fist full" of nuts is a "serving", don't eat the whole bag! If getting enough magnesium proves to be challenging for you, incorporating a magnesium supplement into your diet might be the way to go.
Fresh fruits~Snacking on fresh fruit will help keep you energized, satiated, and hydrated. Apples, strawberries, and pears are great choices because of their high fiber, good carbs, because they are lower on the glycemic index. In other words, not spiking your blood sugars as bad as a high glycemic fruit. They are healthy nutrients, and have water content. Go a step further and combine fresh fruit with a source of healthy fat and protein for a well-rounded snack that will keep your energy levels up while keeping hunger away for hours. Like mixing it in with some to the nuts into a cup of greek yogurt. Or with a few squares of cheddar cheese.
Fiber Rocks! ~ It keeps you from feeling "hungry" all the time, as it delivers "time-released" energy. It keeps things "moving along" in the GI tract, if you know what I mean! So look for high fiber rich content in anything you put in your mouth and it will deliver sustained, time-released energy that doesn't give you a rise in blood sugars and then come "crashing down", having you begging for a cookie or one more cup o' Joe :-) Fiber is your friend!
Have any tips on what foods help you to stay energized? Would love to hear about them - please share!
Helping you to Select The Best Health,
Sherry Hubbard
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