Sometimes, life can be a bit overwhelming. With all the roles that we are expected to play, each demanding a specific task to be done, it is very easy to run out of energy. Getting up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for the whole family, running to the office to be able to submit your report on time, taking an hour off to attend a conference at your child’s school, no wonder that the day has not yet ended and you are about to call it a day. The different tasks zap the energy out of you and you end up being unproductive.

Imagine what you can do if you have more energy. Perhaps, you will be able to go and watch your child’s school program after work, or you can go out for dinner with your co-workers. Having more energy would mean you get to enjoy what you want to do the most, you can make good use of your extra time and not spend it sleeping even at mid-day, get an extra job to make extra money, or you can simply spend more quality time with people who matter in your life. So yeah, having the energy to do things is good. But where does one get the much needed energy boost?

Energy-Giving Foods

Good thing is, you don’t have to suffer through low energy levels all throughout the day. You can actually eat foods that help boost your energy levels. It’s all just a matter of knowing which foods are right for you, and then taking advantage of what it offers. Here are eight foods which can get you energized. You may take some of these with you at work to ensure that energy boost is just within reach.

• Berries

  Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and goji berries are rich in phytochemicals, nutrients and antioxidants. The nutrients found in berries, like proteins, fats and carbohydrates provide us with energy in order to regulate and maintain important bodily functions; maintain the health of body tissues as well as stimulate its repair; do work and exercise; and regulate body temperature. The antioxidants and phytochemicals help keep our immune system healthy and keep illnesses away.

  To help kick start your day, incorporate fresh berries into a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Not only is it healthy but this will help ensure that you remain energized all throughout your very hectic day.

• Vegetables

  In order to make the most out of the foods that we eat, our body needs to convert the nutrients into a usable form – energy. This process requires the presence and the abundance of vitamins and minerals. The more vitamins and minerals there are in food that we take in, the more energy we get out of it. If we continuously take in foods that are low in nutrients, we tend to get easily tired and we become sluggish. So choosing the right foods to eat could spell the difference between being full of energy and being sleepy all the time.

• Salmon

  Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids – the good kind of fat. Numerous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are capable of improving one’s thinking abilities, memory, and mood – all these being directly related to energy. Aside from salmon, the other excellent sources of omega-3 fats include mackerel, herring, tuna, sardines and cod. The key, therefore, is to eat the right kind of fat. Avoid eating foods that are loaded with saturated fats and trans fat because they actually zap you out of energy, and they are detrimental to your health too. These bad forms of fats can increase your risk of heart diseases, stroke and blood vessel problems.

• Bananas

  Bananas contain vitamin B and carbohydrates which can provide you with the energy boost that you need to help you get through the day energized and feeling a lot better. Professionals recommend eating a banana during breakfast which would help jumpstart your day, or 30 minutes before you go to the gym for a workout. You may eat a banana alone or you can include it in your morning oatmeal.

• Watermelon

  Watermelon is not just refreshing, it keeps the body energized as well. This fruit, more popular during the summer, helps you recharge from life’s daily stresses. How? It is packed with a lot of vitamins and minerals which help you fight fatigue. The water content of watermelon hydrates you and its nutrients give you the energy boost that you need.

• Almonds

  Calorie is used to measure how much energy is contained in food. Almonds have high calories in one serving. This means that a serving of almonds would give you the energy boost that you need, without eating too much of it. If you are starting to feel tired during mid-day and you are looking for something to munch on, choose almonds. It will energize you and the benefits associated with eating almonds will be good for your health.

• Beans

  Beans as well as lentils are considered to be excellent sources of fiber and protein. These help stabilize the levels of glucose in your blood. Aside from this, beans are also rich sources of complex carbohydrates and potassium – two preferred sources of energy since complex carbohydrates and potassium do not cause a sudden decrease in the levels of your blood sugar.

• Dark Chocolate

  Chocolate typically contains phenylethylamine and tyramine, two compounds that have been known to boost energy levels. However, if you are going to eat chocolate, go for the dark kind. Dark chocolate has high levels of antioxidants that can help neutralize the effects of free radicals – substances that can cause premature aging and other forms of diseases such as diabetes and those of the heart. Remember that the darker the chocolate is, the better it is for you. Not only do you get to you get to satisfy your cravings, you also get to enjoy its health benefits.

Sources
biokia.fi
realhealthanswers.com
noeman.org
livestrong.com
freelancefolder.com