Today I want to mention my 5 natural energy foods that are part of my secret weapon to vitality in my old age. Now I know age is a perceived notion at best. As I learnt long ago age is just a number. But, as I find myself over 50, I shouldn’t be surprised that someone referred to me as a senior the other day. I wasn’t offended, as what he actually said was ‘Being a senior, elderly gentleman I find it amazing how vibrant and energetic you always are, you put me to shame.’ He happened to be 21, so just a baby compared to my seniors years, but sometimes when I see him he looks like he should be more my father’s age.
Having explained to him that I’m not quite ready for the rocking chair and as he knows would far rather be exercising in the gym than sitting on the couch watching the television.
Then I explained to him that creating natural energy required a lot more than pouring down his throat gallons of energy drinks and coffee every day, and his diet of fast food meals and chocolate bars and crisps would be doing him no benefit.
There are ways that you can boost your energy through food. Not through a sugary sweet bar which gives you at best a short term boost but will just leave you lagging again in an hour. For a nearly instant energy boost that lasts, eating a healthy snack containing protein and a complex carbohydrate is by far the best thing you can do. That combination of protein and a complex carbohydrate (digested more slowly than simple carbs) increases your blood glucose in a sustained way.
Being tired is no fun at all. You can’t concentrate at work, you can do less, and getting going takes a lot of effort. It’s a miserable way to exist. But having more energy may be as simple as choosing the right foods?
Nuts and Seeds
One of my favourite snacks and I also will use them to add flavour to my salads. Raw almonds, pistachios, pecans, cashews and flaxseed and sunflower seeds are high in protein and can also help with the necessary intake of Vitamin E. Just a handful a day will give you a noticeable boost in energy. Avoid salted or roasted nuts, due to their fat content and calories. The best of the lot in my mind is Almonds which contain mono unsaturated fatty acids, calcium, zinc, iron, protein, all proven to be terrific energy boosters.
Yogurt
Yogurt is another great option for an energy boosting snack as well as a breakfast meal. With plenty of calcium and proteins, it’s a food that can definetely energize you. Try the flavoured ones if you do not like plain yogurt, and the Greek style yogurts are a real awesome energy booster so give them a try. I will always have a pot before my cardiovascular workout in the gym.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is the perfect choice for an energy boost. Most certainly by first choice when it comes to an energy boosting morning starter. It is my staple breakfast food, but often I will add a few nutrient-rich berries. Not just tasty but a true energy creator. Its combination of fiber and complex carbohydrates makes it a longer lasting energy source. Oatmeal also contains vitamin B – another source of energy.
Beans
A powerful vegetable packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Beans are high in fiber and lean protein, but low in calories and saturated fat — a nutritious combination as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. Support your endurance with a bowl of beans. Legumes (beans, peas and lentils) are a tonic food for your kidneys and help stabilize blood sugar. They provide substantial energy, a kind of “oomph that will transform your vitality.
Whole Grains
Your body uses carbohydrates to fuel itself, so they are an important part of creating natural energy. Whole Grains high in fiber, rich in antioxidants slow the absorption of sugar. And since these foods are loaded with B vitamins, your metabolism will see quite a boost along with your energy! Bagels, whole-wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal are fantastic foods that naturally give you energy so that you don’t feel fatigue during the day.
When your energy is low, it’s tempting to give in to cravings for caffeine, energy drinks and sugary treat’s – anything to help get you through the day. But now you know better. Instead, choose foods that are rich in protein or fiber to give your body the fuel it needs to keep going. Try my 5 natural energy foods and see what a difference they make.
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It is known that energy doesn’t come that much from fast food or hard cooked food. Instead, if you want to get high amounts of energy from some simple dishes, you should consider the above mentioned ones. I know that is something that most of us are not used to but it is worth the effort. After some time you will get to enjoy the taste and feel more energic than ever. Very useful information. People should read more about natural foods and their benefits.