Whether you’re actively playing sports or not, maintaining high levels of energy throughout the day is important for focus, productivity, focus, and general well-being.
The food we eat plays a super important role in providing our bodies with the necessary fuels and nutrients.
By purposefully adopting healthier eating habits, you can significantly improve your energy levels and feel energised and healthy all throughout the day.
Below are some tips on how to eat for optimal energy.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
This may seem like a cliché, but breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. And especially when talking energy levels. Your body fasts overnight, and it needs new fuel to kick-start every day.
Choose a balanced breakfast that includes a combination of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Nutritious options include:
- Wholegrain toast topped with an avocado and a poached egg
- Oatmeal with nuts and berries
Stay Properly Hydrated
When the body becomes dehydrated, it can lead to fatigue and a sudden drop in energy levels. To combat this, it is essential to drink enough water throughout the day.
Try carrying a reusable water bottle with you and aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Sip from this throughout your day, while you’re in meetings at work, while you’re claiming the latest online pokies bonus before enjoying some gaming online, and while you commute to and from work. It soon becomes habit and it’s easier to stay hydrated.
Another great hydration trick is to include fruits and veggies like watermelon, leafy greens, and cucumbers in your diet. These all have a high level of water content.
Balanced Meals Are Important
A well-balanced diet is the key to sustained energy levels. Your goal should be to include a mix of healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbs in your meals.
Examples of complex carbs include legumes, vegetables, and whole grains. These are great for a steady release of energy throughout the day. Lean proteins are foods like fish, tofu, legumes, and poultry. These provide a feeling of being full and satisfied, and also support muscle function.
Healthy fats are vital for energy too, and include nuts, olive oil, and avocados. They’re also essential for the health of the brain and good cognitive functioning.
Prioritise Nutrients
In order to enjoy optimal energy levels all throughout the day, be sure to focus on including nutrient-rich foods into your daily eating plan.
These are foods that are superbly rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. They provide our bodies with those nutrients needed for optimal energy generation.
Examples include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and wholegrains.
Snack Sustainably
When you do snack between meals, go for snacks that provide staying power instead of instant fixes. To this end, be sure to avoid snacks that are high in sugars and refined carbs. These typically lead to unpleasant energy crashes.
Instead, snack on berries, nuts, carrot sticks, hummus, and Greek yoghurt. They will keep you energised and full for longer periods of time.
Go Slow On Caffeine
While a cup of coffee is great for a temporary energy boost, caffeine must be consumed in moderation. Too much caffeine consumed during the day can lead to energy crashes and poor sleep.
Instead of relying on quick fixes like sugary snacks and caffeine, try eating regular and smaller meals throughout the day.