May 23, 2020
Karl Wilkinson
Top 8 Choices Energy Boosting Foods
- Avocados – one of nature’s most powerful super-foods an avocado contains good amounts of protein, is rich in B vitamins, high in fibre, but most importantly 84% of it’s fats come from healthy sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which has been shown to be beneficial for heart health and fats in general will boost energy levels by slowing the digestion of food and stabilising blood sugar levels.
2. Wholegrains – foods such as brown rice, quinoa, oats and millet provide you with long lasting sustainable energy as they are rich in the vitamin and minerals iron, B vitamins, folate and manganese that aid energy production within the body.
Bananas – an excellent source of carbohydrates bananas are a superb source of fuel containing potassium and B6 which are nutrients that help to boost energy levels in your body. Eat one as a snack with almond butter or add a frozen banana to a smoothie.
Eggs – Eggs provide energy to fuel your day as they are packed with protein, which can give you a steady and sustained source of energy because it does not cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels when it is digested. An amino acid rich in eggs is leucine which can help stimulate the production of energy in the cells and increase the breakdown of fat to produce energy. Eggs are also rich in B vitamins. These vitamins are necessary within the digestive system as they help enzymes perform their role in the processes of breaking down food for energy.
Green vegetables – kale, spinach, broccoli and collards are rich in chlorophyll; a power-house antioxidant containing numerous health benefits including aiding to boost the immune system, fight infections and improving liver detoxification. They are high in iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, C, E and K and also packed with folic acid and fibre.
Flaxseeds, chia seeds and salmon – these foods contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a common cause of fatigue. On the flip side, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to increased inflammation in the body and chronic fatigue. The fibre found in ground seeds help to slow digestion, resulting in a steady, sustained release of energy.
Maca – maca is rich in quality carbohydrates, which combined with other nutrients make it a great choice for sustained energy. Maca is loaded with bio-available plant protein that is easy for the body to assimilate. It also contains relatively high levels of cellulose and lignan, both of which stimulate intestinal function; plus fibre is a key component to a healthy digestive. A healthy digestive system means that the food we eat is being broken down, absorbed, utilised and wastes excreted properly. Additionally, the maca root is an adaptogen, which may help support and rejuvenate tired adrenal glands eventually resulting in greater energy and the ability to handle stress.
Wheatgrass Juice Powder – a nutrient dense “living food” which beneficially contributes in establishing the acid alkali balance of the body attributing to its super alkaline nature. Wheatgrass contains 90 minerals, including excellent levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc; as well as, 8 essential amino acids with a protein content of 47.4%. Wheatgrass is gluten free as the juice is extracted from the grass not the grain of wheat. Gluten is only found in the seed kernel, the endosperm, and not in the stem and leaves. Furthermore, wheatgrass “juice” powders contain an abundance of nutrients higher than wheatgrass powders because these powders contain dried fibre and juice. There is no nutritional value in fibre other than it being roughage. “Juice powders” contain dried juice from the grass; which means there is no fibre just 100% juice and goodness!