How to Get More Energy

Amra B.

Problem: 

I have been suffering from a lack of energy for many years now. I have even gone to the doctor to try and figure out if I had something at the root of my fatigue. Finally, after many visits, I would always receive the same news: "you are healthy and we cannot see what may be causing your lack of energy." 

Junk food and its effect on your energy...

*Please note that I am not a medical doctor and may have experienced lack of energy for reasons that may be unrelated to yours. It is always best to consult your doctor with any questions you have in regards to your health.

Finally, after doing some research of my own, I was able to figure out and cure my fatigue. The problem was that my diet did not include enough nutritional food and I was basically running on "low fuel" 

Explanation:

I know that this may be a SIMPLE concept, but many of us seem to have problems grasping the idea that food is NOT ONLY to be consumed for pleasure: we were actually made to eat so that we have energy to maintain our body function. From organs to every cell in our body, we need fuel to be able to function. On the other hand, we may think we are eating, but actually may be STARVED…

How can we be starving if we feel full? There are certain foods that will fill us up, but do not provide ANY nutrition, and so we crash! An example may be french fries or potato chips: potatoes have fibers that make us full but have little nutritional value. If you have fries for lunch, many the calories you are receiving are "empty calories": they make you fat, but don't do anything to keep your body functioning! The result is you can hardly keep moving because you feel sleepy or sluggish. You depend on coffee (caffein) and sweets to pick you up, but then you crash yet again. Sugar is another ingredient in our diet that is ALL calories and NO nutrition (over 94% of the sugar has NO nutritional value). This is why you will often see many "plump" people walking slowly and always tired. 

Another side affects of bad nutrition: depression and decrease in learning. You may not only be tired, but you may also experience increase in feelings of depression and poor performance in school or work (click here for a full article on how bad nutrition impacts your brain). 

Solution: 

Fuel your body! Eating food is not just pleasure, it is a necessity. I remember reading Jade Pinket Smith saying : "my grandmother taught me that you don’t eat for taste, you eat for nourishment. And I have kept that over the years, so I can eat anything that’s healthy. I eat for my schedule so I have to eat high-protein, lots of greens and healthy carbs so that I don’t fall flat on my face." 

I have banned any empty calories from my diet. This means, that unless there is some value to the food I am putting in my mouth, I simply will not eat it. I have trained myself to understand that food is fuel and I am an entirely different person when I consume highly nutritional food (I never have problems with my energy anymore, I am in a good mood (happy), and my concentration level at work is amazing). 

Some of the foods to include in your diet to help increase your energy: 

• Coconut butter: I add a teaspoon of coconut butter to my coffee every morning. It is a little miracle that keeps the level of my energy stable from morning to the late afternoon
• Chia seeds: I add chia seeds to my oatmeal, smoothies, juice, salads, soups, and everywhere else I can. Chia seeds have Omega-3, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and fiber
• Nuts: I eat almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts. I like to include almond powder in my smoothies before a workout. My desert consists of almonds and honey, or almonds and fruit. 
• Vegetables: Even when I am not in the mood to eat a salad, I will make sure I at least take it as my side dish. I eat GREEN vegetables every single day. If you are not in the mood for a salad today, make a green smoothie 
• Fruit: Doutzen Kroes is always taking photos of her breakfast fruit salad. Her breakfast consists of almost only fruits and protein. If you are not in the mood to eat a fruit salad, make a fruit smoothie
• Protein: We need protein to keep moving. There are many sources of protein, and personally I stick to eggs, tuna, salmon, chicken, and nuts. I don't consume much dairy accept for milk with my latte in the morning. 

Please note that I don't eat ANY processed foods, sugar, and simple carbohydrates. I believe that these interrupt the benefits of the other food I put into my body. 

Motivation by Adriana Lima

I hope my advice helps you feel energized and refreshed! I wish you an amazing day! 

XOXO