Foods To Improve Your Energy Levels
Certain foods provide you with more energy than others. To get the most out of your meals, opt for menu choices with these natural energy-boosting foods to help get you through the day.
Eating For Energy
Banana: Bananas are one of the world’s best foods for supplying your body with energy. Rich in potassium and B vitamins, they can provide your body with a more sustained release of energy. The supply of vitamins and carbohydrates in bananas make you feel full, help slow down digestion and keep blood sugar levels stable.
Fresh Produce: Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables is important for energy. Star choices for this purpose include lettuce, rocket, radicchio, watercress, endive, globe artichokes, carrots, celery, beetroot, green peas and beans, alfalfa sprouts, leeks, shallots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and sprouts, as well as grapefruit, apples and pears.
Nuts and Seeds: Nuts including cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts are rich in protein and magnesium, a mineral that plays a key role in converting sugar into energy. Being low on magnesium can drain your energy. Seeds such as pepitas are great too.
Quinoa: A gluten-free grain that contains more protein than any other grain or rice, quinoa is so rich in amino acids that it is considered a complete source of protein; high in lysine, methionine and cysteine. Even better, it is also high in folate, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, making it a nutrient-packed source of carbohydrates for lasting energy levels.
Eggs: The humble egg is an absolutely awesome natural source of iron and protein. Eggs are also naturally rich in B-vitamins that are responsible for converting food sources into energy. Eggs are sure to give you a sustainable hit of energy, which will last throughout the whole day.
Salmon: Salmon is a great source of the energy-boosting goodness that is essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for energy production, brain activity and circulation. On a side note, it’s also great for maintaining heart health! You just can’t go wrong with a nice piece of salmon.
Lentils: Lentils and other legumes, like kidney beans and chickpeas, help to stabilise blood glucose levels and prevent those mid-afternoon crashes you’ve struggled through so many times before. By incorporating lentils into your lunchtime meal, you will stretch your energy levels that little bit further and avoid the slump altogether.
Water: Staying hydrated can help you avoid getting tired. Some studies suggest that even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism and sap your energy. The solution is simple: drink plenty of water or other unsweetened beverages throughout the day.
Fresh Fuel For Your Body
It’s so easy to incorporate a number of these different foods into your daily diet that there’s really no excuse for supplementing with sugary snacks and drinks. If you're not too keen on getting into the kitchen to experiment with them yourself, you can even try a meal delivery service where chefs will prepare market fresh produce in convenient portion sizes to help you get on the right track.