Last week, we talked about foods that drain your energy. This week, we have a list of the top foods that will give you energy:
- Vegetables – Especially dark, leafy greens such as kale, collards and chards. Also sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and spinach.
- Cold-water fatty fish – These include wild salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring. They’re an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, energy-boosting B vitamins, complete protein, and more.
- Beans & Lentils – Beans and lentils provide carbohydrates and protein making them a good source of energy.
- Tree nuts & Seeds – Tree nuts and seeds are a great source for quick energy. They provide protein and ‘healthy’ fats.
- Raw Foods – You don’t have to become a Raw Foodist for this. Raw vegetables will provide extra energy through enzymes. Consider salads, carrots, radishes, etc. If you’re having a salad, don’t go for the low-fat dressing. Pick a dressing with ‘good’ fats in it. The fat helps your body assimilate the enzymes, vitamins and minerals in the vegetables.
- Healthy, Whole grains – When eating grains – especially breads – then choose only whole grains. They provide fiber, minerals and vitamins that are removed from processed foods.
- Water – OK, it’s not really a food, but it’s very important to your health. It helps eliminate dehydration,regulate body temperature, and reduce stress. Do all liquids count as water? Not really. Consider that whatever else is in that liquid has to be processed first, then and only then do you get water for hydration. Depending on the liquid, you could be getting little to no hydration.
What’s that you ask? Where’s the caffeine and the sugar? In reality, neither of these will give you lasting energy and in the long run they are energy draining foods.
Photo Courtesy Kreg.Steppe via Flickr
I love to cook. I’m also a health coach, a path I chose after going through a health crisis which taught me the importance of eating healthy meals. Now, I want to combine the two — health coaching and cooking — to help people learn to cook healthy meals. To plan healthy meals. And to eat healthy meals. For more, please visit Your Cooking Coach.
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