If you’re feeling run down, you’re not alone. According to the Mayo Clinic, fatigue is one of the most common health complaints. While many things can cause fatigue, diet is often a factor.
If you’ve eaten a big bowl of pasta for lunch and then struggled to stay awake later, you’re not alone. Certain foods, like bread and pasta, cause major swings in blood sugar, which can result in fatigue. So, what should you eat when you need a boost of energy?
If you’re looking for a way to boost your energy levels, try incorporating some superfoods into your diet. Superfoods are foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They can help boost your immune system and improve your overall health.
Give one of these energy-boosting superfoods a try:
- Purple Sweet Potatoes – Besides being high in fiber, this purple superfood is full of slow-burning complex carbs and energy-boosting phytonutrients. The purple color comes from the same antioxidants that give blueberries their color and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Green Tea – Although it contains much less caffeine than coffee, it may boost your energy even more than a cup of joe. It has an amino acid that reduces stress and improves cognitive function. That doesn’t mean you need to ditch the coffee, though. Coffee is a source of antioxidants as well and has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
- Legumes and Beans – Beans and legumes provide protein and fiber that helps keep blood sugar stable. Gut bacteria thrive on beans, which help decrease inflammation, and legumes are a source of selenium, a natural mood enhancer.
- Beets – This red superfood is excellent at detoxing the liver, an organ that can make you tired when not functioning well. Studies show that those who drank beet juice before running had better running times than those who didn’t.
- Steel Cut Oats – These nutrient-dense whole grains are high in fiber and gluten-free, which translates into lots of consistent energy without dips in blood sugar. Although they take longer to prepare, they are worth the wait.
- Blueberries – In addition to being loaded with energy-boosting carbs and powerful antioxidants, the same phytochemicals in purple sweet potatoes are known to boost immune function, decrease symptoms of depression, and help the body and mind recover from stress faster.
- Almonds – These nuts are packed with fiber, protein, and magnesium, which play a crucial role in converting sugar into energy. Low magnesium levels can drain your energy, cause leg cramps, and result in sleep problems.
- Spinach – Spinach is a leafy green vegetable packed with nutrients, including iron and B vitamins, essential for energy production.
While all superfoods offer some health benefits, some are especially beneficial for older adults. For example, blueberries’ antioxidants help protect cells from damage. This is important for older adults, who are more susceptible to age-related diseases.
The next time you head out to the grocery store, consider adding some of these superfoods to your cart and see what they can do for your energy levels and overall health. Also, if you have a loved one that is getting older and you are concerned for their health, giving them some of these goodies to snack on can help keep their health and energy in the right place.
Please consider meeting with us if you have concerns regarding your or your loved one’s health or wellness. We would love to provide guidance on certain steps to protect what you have for the people you love the most before the unimaginable may happen.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help.
