Do you get enough energy from your food?
We've all felt that midday lag with the secret desire to squeeze in a little shuteye before going on with the rest of our busy day. There are endless factors that contribute to this loss of energy and some that simply cannot be changed, but luckily there is one thing we control, our food.
Food is fuel and fuel is energy. Those sluggish moments can be revved back up with the right foods or may actually occur because of the wrong foods. For more energy in your day and less food comas, take a look at the do's and don'ts of food.
After decades of food research, here is one we can all agree on, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! By the time we eat breakfast it has often been 8-12 hours since our last meal. This puts the body in a state of rest with lower energy both physically and mentally. Eating breakfast kick-starts the metabolism, provides glucose for physical energy and sends energy to your brain to keep you mentally prepared for being awake! Stop skipping breakfast.
If you're ready to say goodbye to the afternoon siesta, then eat your breakfast, stay hydrated and pack in natural sugars, loads of fiber, high protein lunches and unrefined carbohydrates.
Some people think carbs are bad, others believe carbs make you tired and still others believe carbs will make you fat and should not be consumed when training. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Not all carbs are created equal, certain carbs provide good energy and without carbohydrates our bodies can't actually break down fat properly. What to avoid are fatty foods and refined carbohydrates. So when you need a pick-me-up, don't hit the vending machine for salty chips or sweets. Instead think about a sweet fruit, like apples or a crunchy grain like popcorn.
To increase your physical and mental energy, eat foods rich in manganese! This includes brown rice, wheat germs, brans, most nuts and most seeds. If you want to add a touch of sugar for a quick boost, add a little raw, dark chocolate. Be careful thought, too much sugar slows your system down again and will make you tired after the rush.
Another boost to your energy levels is fiber. Apples are a miracle cure with the right amount of healthy sugar and a good dose of fiber to give you energy for hours as it takes time to digest. Another great option are bananas, loaded with fiber and high in sugars. When paired with nuts or grains, the energy flows for hours. A sprouted wheat tortilla or pita spread with organic peanut or almond butter, a banana, drizzle of honey and sprinkled with chia seeds and amaranth or oats is a breakfast or snack that will keep you fueled for anything the day throws your way.
Read more about High Fiber Food You Can Snack On.
Another simple cure for raising and maintaining your energy levels is pure water! Most of us walk around at some mild level of dehydration, especially in the mornings when we reach for coffee first. Even slight dehydration has been proved to lower energy and physical stamina. One of the best midday boosts is not another cup of joe, but a large glass of water, a tablespoon of chia seeds, juice of one lemon or lime and a drizzle of honey. Honey and chia seeds both supply time-released energy throughout the body.
There is no time like the present to bring some healthy habits to your work day. May is the global Employee Health & Fitness month. Take this time to focus on your energy and physical wellness throughout all you do.
If you're ready to say goodbye to the afternoon siesta, then eat your breakfast, stay hydrated and pack in natural sugars, loads of fiber, high protein lunches and unrefined carbohydrates.
If all of this is too much to add to an already packed work day, consider having Veestro deliver your lunches to your office. If they have a refrigerator, you can have your energy and health boosting meals ready to go in minutes.
