PUREfit

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Top 10 Energy Boosting Foods

Some of you may experience the mid day crash - rushing to the coffee machine or closest cafe for a jolt of caffeine - this however, will only offer a temporary boost, leaving you more tired than where you started.

You're body's preferred energy source is carbohydrates. But the key is eating the right kinds of carbs, ones that will give you that much-needed energy without sending your energy levels crashing.

The solution? Keep your carb levels on an even keel to avoid those sugary spikes. Since your blood sugar drops four hours after eating, it means eating more frequent, smaller meals. It means concentrating on low-fat, high-fiber foods and complex carbs – these are broken down slowly and steadily, giving you regular energy throughout the day.
  1. Whole wheat pasta
  2. Oatmeal
  3. Fruit smoothies made with low-fat yogurt
  4. Peanut butter
  5. Dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, raisins, figs)
  6. Yams
  7. Beans
  8. Apples
  9. Carrots
  10. Chickpeas

Also:
  • Eat breakfast! This is absolutely the #1 "eating for energy" strategy. It gets your metabolism off to a strong start and makes nighttime snacking a thing of the past. (Coffee is not breakfast.)
  • Avoid grease (burgers and fries) and high-fat dairy foods (pizza, ice cream, cheese) and choose lower-fat versions instead.
  • Focus on whole grains, which are good sources of vitamin B, aiding the metabolic production of energy.
  • Don’t forget iron, an energy-boosting mineral.

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