Here are some tips for maximising your energy levels:
•Eat breakfast every day but avoid fast-acting sugary cereals. Oatmeal, a slow releasing carb, is a much better choice than many other sugary cereals.
•Eat little and often to keep your blood glucose and therefore your energy levels stable
•Avoid refined sugars and processed foods – they cause big peaks and even bigger dips in your energy levels
•Eat natural, unprocessed foods to supply your body with essential vitamins and minerals so it can unlock the energy in your diet efficiently
•Focus on complex carbohydrates such as brown bread, brown rice, brown pasta, and starchy vegetables like potatoes. These slow-acting carbs will provide you with sustained energy
•Get enough sleep – seven to nine hours per night is optimal
•Use but don’t abuse caffeine. Like fast-acting sugars, caffeine gives you a fast lift but can also cause a slump in energy levels
• Plan your food intake around your activity levels; the more active you are going to be, the more carbohydrate you should consume. If you are going to be sedentary, you may want to dial back the carbs – especially if your goal is weight loss
• Drink at least two litres of water a day. Water is essential for energy production and helps flush your body clean of fatiguing toxins
Modern life can sap your energy and leave you feeling like you are always one step behind. However, if you eat healthily and learn how to make the most of the energising power of carbohydrates, you should find that you are much better equipped to keep up.