Some foods work better than others to help us fuel our day, but what are they? Discover the best foods that give us energy to pop on your shopping list, here.
Starting the day off right, with a whole and sustainable breakfast is the best way to get your body into action. However, some people do feel as though they start to lack energy later on in the day. Why is this? And what can we do to stop this? Well, it is no surprise that food has a great deal to do with our energy levels, however, some foods work better than others when it comes to boosting our energy. So, what are the best foods that boost energy, and why are some better than others?
This article will delve into all things boosting energy, as well as highlighting some of the best foods that give you energy for you to put on your shopping list.
The food that we consume gives us the fuel we need to perform at our highest ability during the day. It also aids basic bodily jobs such as breathing, blood flow and metabolic functions. The way in which the body takes energy from food is in the digestive process.
The body breaks down the food we consume and converts sugar and fat into what is called adenosine triphosphate, this is then changes into another molecule called adenosine diphosphate. During this cycle of change, energy is released which fuels the bodies’ function.
There are many things that can affect our energy levels, amongst some of those things are our diet and sleep pattern. Living an unhealthy lifestyle that consists of smoking, large amounts of alcohol consumption and little to no exercise, could lead you to feeling constant fatigue and feeling a little under the weather.
However, the way to make sure you get enough energy to fuel you through the day is to make sure you are eating the right foods. The way to check how much energy you are getting in the day is the check the calorie (kcal) content of your food source. It is important to note, that this doesn’t mean you should load your diet full of calories to try and boost your energy levels.
Many foods that are jam packed with calories are not the best foods to be consuming on a daily basis, such as crisps, chocolate and sweets. Too much of these and this could cause a loss in energy. So, always check if the foods you are eating are a sustainable source of energy. Aim for foods that are high in fibre, healthy fats, and are unrefined carbohydrates. These help to provide your body with energy that can be absorbed over longer periods of time.
Eating healthy foods, with enough carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals is an extremely important part of any diet. But of course, there are some foods that are better than others, the list is extensive, but below are the top 6 foods to give you energy to get through your day.
Oily and fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are great sources of energy. Both are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is also rich with vitamin B, which combined with the omega 3 offers great benefits to your cardiovascular health. On top of all this, the protein in salmon and tuna will help the body and you to feel energised and full of vigour.
Apart from being sweet, oranges are a great source of vitamin C. However, they are highly underrated when it comes to boosting energy. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is crucial for the healthy production of collagen, as well as the healthy growth and repair of tissue throughout the body. Oranges, as if they aren’t already amazing, are also good sources of potassium, which replenishes electrolytes in the body, these are vital for feeling energized.
Bananas are a staple when it comes to foods that give you energy. They provide a great potassium boost and are great for providing replenishment properties for electrolytes, which are a crucial part of feeling energised throughout the day.
Eggs are at the top of the foods that boost energy list. They are packed with protein and B vitamins; these are essential for a healthy metabolism and positive energy function. Eggs fuel your body with proteins and calories that can be released slowly. Despite their size, they have more nutritional value per calorie than most other foods. Eggs help to satisfy your hunger and keep you feeling energised for longer.
Chicken is a great source of protein and it’s a lean meat. Protein is crucial for the building and repair of tissues and for maintaining muscle mass. Chicken is also rich in B vitamins, such as B6 and B12, these play a crucial role in the production of energy. Chicken is a great lunch idea to keep your mind and body boosted throughout the day.
Crushed, mashed, or sliced, avocado isn’t only a great brunch choice, bu
t is also a great food choice to boost energy. Avocado is high in healthy unsaturated fats, calories and fibre. All these make avocado an easy food to digest at a steady pace, which releases glucose into the bloody, providing the body with a steady flow of energy.
Yes, but also no. There are of course other foods that haven’t been added to the list that are great sources of energy, and are great options to boost you through the day. However, foods such as sugary sweets, pastries and fast foods, contain too much sugar which is absorbed into the blood too quickly. This then results in the ‘mid-day crash’, leaving you feeling tired and hungry soon afterwards.
Foods that contain complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein all take longer to digest, which satisfies your hunger, and provides and slow and constant flow of energy throughout the day.
Making sure to follow a controlled and healthy diet will enable you to feel more alive and energised throughout your day, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a few sweet treats every now and then. The above are only a few food choices to help you start your day the right way and to continue through the day with enough energy to see you through.
Now that you know the best foods for that extra boost of energy, why not check out our article on the best foods for iron.
Sources:
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/conditions/best-foods-to-increase-energy-levels/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-food-energy-boost
https://www.livestrong.com/article/444740-how-does-the-food-we-eat-actually-give-us-energy/
