The Energy Draining Lifestyle:
Today’s competitive environment where the race against time juggling your career, managing your relationships, staying committed to your fitness plans and finding time for rewind and reset, will leave you short of energy and drained. The sheer number of items in our to-do lists and the constant energy levels it demands can sap the fittest of the fittest. Paucity of time and the easy availability of high-energy foods, in the form of processed foods laden with sugar, salt and caffeine, sends your health for a toss and makes the roller coaster spikes and dips, more steeper.
Eating more isn’t the solution to combat fatigue. Your body converts food into blood sugar, or glucose to fuel the body functions and carbs convert most easily into this ready-to-burn fuel, keeping them top of your quick-energy grub. The problem is that some simple carbohydrates, like sugar, break down very quickly, increasing your blood sugar levels in a very short burst of energy and then spirals into a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which causes fatigue, moodiness and mental fogginess. This is the place that most people hate being but unfortunately end up in.
Right Foods at the Right Time:
Most people eat the right energy food but get the timing, portion size and combinations all mixed up. An ideal blend would be food right in high carbs, moderate protein, and low fat. Having too much of too less of any would not give the desired results. Also ensure that you consume foods based on what activity you intend to utilize the fuel for. Most do the cardinal sin of stacking up the heaviest for dinner leaving all that energy produced underutilized.
You don’t have to go searching exotic and rare foods to get over the slumps. If you’re tired of being tired, start incorporating these foods into your diet more regularly.
11 Super Foods for sustained Energy all day long:
– Sweet Potato: High in carbohydrates and loaded with beta-carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin C.
– Honey: Low on the glycemic index, a time-released muscle fuel and helps replenish muscles.
– Bananas: Composed mostly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber.
– Apples: High in fiber, longer to digest, prolonged energy release.
– Oranges: High in vitamin C, potassium and folate. Slow release of energy. Pectin and fiber present in the fruit’s membranes.
– Spinach: An excellent source of iron, a key component of energy production in the body.
– Beans: Both a protein and a complex carb, they’re a must for both carnivores and vegetarians.
– Almonds: Copper and manganese play an essential role in keeping energy flowing throughout the body by neutralizing toxins within cells. Riboflavin aids oxygen-based energy production.
– Salmon: High omega-3 fatty acid content lowers cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Also contains protein and vitamin B6, niacin and riboflavin—all of which help convert the food you eat into energy.
– Yogurt: Rich in magnesium, which is crucial for the release of energy, yogurt also adds a dose of calcium to your diet. Enjoy it post-workout to help replenish your glycogen sources.
– Eggs: A whopping 97% of protein from eggs can be absorbed by your body. Contains essential amino acids that your body uses to rebuild and repair muscle.
