Food is fuel.
If your energy takes a serious dip when the afternoon rolls around, chances are you are not eating enough quality foods throughout the day. To maintain your focus and alertness from morning to night, be sure to incorporate some of these tasty, natural energy boosters into your diet.
EGGS
Eggs are a nutritious source of protein, which is the key to feeling energized throughout the day. In addition to protein, the energy-boosting qualities of eggs can be greatly attributed to leucine, the most prominent amino acid in eggs. From helping cells take in more blood sugar to increasing the rate at which fat is broken down to produce energy, eggs provide just as much energy as they do flavor.
QUINOA
You may be thinking-- quinoa? How is a carbohydrate going to help me feel energized? Despite quinoa’s classification as a whole grain, it has a low glycemic index, meaning your body absorbs its carbohydrates slowly, providing you with a slow and steady release of energy. Additionally, quinoa is a protein-packed superfood that is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent natural energy booster.
LEAFY GREENS
If you are constantly fatigued, you may be experiencing an iron deficiency. Leafy green vegetables like kale, arugula, and spinach are strong sources of iron, in addition to other essential vitamins and minerals that provide your body with sufficient energy throughout the day.
DARK CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate’s composition of antioxidants and stimulatory compounds like caffeine make it an optimal natural energy booster. It is important to remember that these nutritious, energy-promoting qualities are unique to dark chocolate and are not as prominent in other types of chocolate.
YOGURT
Yogurt offers the perfect balance of simple sugars and protein. The protein in yogurt ensures that the sugar components are broken down slowly over time, giving you a steady release of energy throughout the day.
BANANAS
Potassium. Check. Complex carbohydrates. Check. Vitamin B6. Check. Bananas are rich in each of these energy boosting properties, making them a great way to start your day and the perfect mid-day pick up.
BEETS
While beets are energy boosters in and of themselves, beet juice is the real game changer. When juiced, beets provide a surplus of antioxidants and nitrates, the compounds that improve blood flow. With increased oxygen flow throughout the body, you can expect optimal energy, especially when participating in aerobic exercise.
COFFEE & YERBA MATE
Drinking your energy has never been easier. Coffee is potentially the most well-known energy booster out there. For those that are not a fan of this brown and bitter treat, yerba mate is a flavorful alternative that provides comparable amounts of caffeine to coffee. While the beverage originates from South America and is a staple in Argentinian culture, its powerful effects have been recognized around the world and is available at most grocery stores, in both loose leaf form and canned.