Did you know…
The foods you eat are either giving you energy or zapping it. Have you ever noticed after some meals you feel refreshed and re-energized and after others you need a nap?
Are you thinking, Heck! I need all the energy I can get. I want MORE energy and I cannot afford to have any of it wasted!!
In this post, I’ll share some common foods that may be stealing your energy as well as some foods that will re-fuel your body and boost your energy.
If you’re new to my blog, Welcome! I’m so glad you are here. My goal is to provide you with tips that help you stay strong and active as you age.
Here are some of my other blogs to check out after you read this one.
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - High Sugar Breakfast Cereals
Thinking about sugary cereals takes me back 50 years as I hear my grandpa teasing me about my favorite cereal he called Fruity Loops. Today, they even have Fruit Loops with Marshmallows. If these had been available back then, they would have been my fave!
Sadly, with 48% of the calories coming from sugar, Fruit Loops with Marshmallows aren’t even the WORST!
The bolt of energy from these high sugar cereals will quickly fade.
In addition to your fading energy, your co-worker brought in homemade cookies oozing with chocolate chips for a treat today. I can already smell them just thinking about it!
Only those with the strongest willpower will win this one. I would be the first in line. AND, once I’ve had one, I’m likely to want a second one. Now, I’m on a constant sugar rollercoaster and sluggish all day. Definitely, not the way I want to start my day. How about you?
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - White bread, rice and pasta
Our bodies all react differently to foods. For some, your body may react similarly to white bread, pasta, and rice as it does to the sugar in your sugar bowl. For others, the impact is less dramatic.
Bread, rice, and pasta are some of the most common carbs. And, although these can be energy drainers, not all carbs are bad. Your body will tell you what works best for it. The secret is listening to what it tells you.
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - Fast Foods
Fast foods are highly processed and generally of lesser quality and fewer nutrients. They are often fried and loaded in saturated (and possibly even transfats) and low in fiber. High-fat foods can make you feel weighed down or overly full, bloated and in search of a quick fix of energy – ie. more sugar.
Eating fast foods that are usually low in nutrition also displaces healthier foods, like fruits and vegetables.
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - Energy drinks
Whether you have a big project at work that needs your laser focus, or you’re gearing up for an intense workout, you’ll want the mental clarity and energy to complete them. Hence, the popularity of energy drinks.
Energy drinks vary considerably so always check the labels. They will most likely contain a significant amount of caffeine and sugar. I will save the discussion of caffeine for a future post, but small amounts of caffeine are thought to be fine.
Some of the energy drinks have upwards of 30 grams of sugar for one serving. To put that in perspective, a general rule of thumb is that women should have 24g of sugar per day as the upper limit.
The energy drink I prefer has 100mg of caffeine and 2g of sugar that I mix with 16 0z of water.
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - High Sugar Candy
While some less than healthy foods are fortified with some vitamins, there is no nutritional value in candy.
It’s fine to eat an occasional piece of candy. I do too!!
At first, our blood sugar will go way up and for a while, we feel energized
until…
our blood sugar takes a nose dive and we suddenly feel the “crash” and are left with NO energy.
If you’re looking for sustained energy for the next few hours so you can finish a big project at work, then this is not the time to grab the candy bar out of the vending machine.
Common Foods Stealing your Energy - Alcohol - the Double Whammy
I know having a glass of wine after dinner is pretty common. Good or bad, wine gives me a terrible headache almost immediately so it just isn’t worth it to me. If you do enjoy a glass of wine or other adult beverages for that matter, keep in mind that alcohol slows down the central nervous system which leaves you feeling tired. At the end of the day, probably not a big deal.
Except…
Alcohol delivers a double whammy as it can also contribute to insomnia, making it difficult to get the sleep you need to restore your energy.
In other words, now you’re feeling tired and can’t sleep. Not a great combination!
These common foods stealing your energy are probably not a huge surprise, right? In addition to being energy zappers, these foods provide fewer nutrients, and are high in sugar and fat. As you start limiting the foods from the above categories, here are some foods you can swap them for.
Get ready to start seeing your energy levels increase!
Foods to boost your energy
- Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate that is full of fiber and slow to digest which provides you with an even supply of energy for hours.
- Eggs are low in calories and high in protein and will keep you feeling full and energized for hours.
- Grilled chicken has less unhealthy fats than beef or pork. Mix is with leafy greens or steamed veggies for a light lunch.
- Beans are a great source of protein. Beans are high in fiber which slows the digestion, provides an even flow of energy and keeps you feeling full.
- Walnuts are high in calories; however, they also have a specific omega-3 your body uses for energy.
- Coffee can give you that extra bolt of energy due to the caffeine. Just be careful to not overdo it or drink it too late in the day.
- Berries are perfect if you're wanting something sweet. They can give you that boost of energy without the sugar crash.
- Dark Chocolate - if you're a fan of chocolate, opt for the dark chocolate. It has been shown to have health benefits like lowering blood pressure, improving brain function and mood. Just remember, it does have calories and fat so enjoy in moderation.
- This one may seem surprising - Water. Our bodies are over 60% water. When we are dehydrated, our bodies cannot function optimally which results in feeling tired and lethargic.
This is far from an exhaustive list. Hopefully, it gives you some ideas of foods to start filling up your plate and watch your energy increase.`
Want more tips for losing weight?
Grab Your Key to Unlocking Weight Loss Secrets now and align these 5 Team players for greater success.
Pin it now. Read later.
