Add Energy to Your Diet by Paisley Hanson

I am happy to introduce you to Paisley Hanson, a writer and health partitioner. Her expertise is in health, fitness, beauty and fashion. Paisley is passionate about empowering others to make steps in their lives to be healthy.

Paisley will be producing articles and posts in collaboration with us and we are excited to include her as a correspondent on Stillness in the Storm.

Many of us are looking for ways to improve our lives on the ground here and one of the most impactful things you can do is make choices that empower you to be healthy. Food is medicine after all, but only if we acknowledge it consciously and begin to realize that it is within our sphere of influence to change.

Ten Power Foods for All Day Energy

Researcher and health expert William Li believes that healthy eating is often about what you add and not what you take away. He described his approach to eating in this inspirational quote:

“The obvious thing is to think about what we could remove from our diet. But I took a completely opposite approach and began asking: What could we be adding to our diet that could boost the body’s defense system?”

Eating healthy isn’t just about cutting food out. You need to consider the bigger picture. What healthy foods can you add to your diet that provide all day energy? Let’s take a look at ten power foods for all day energy that provide carbohydrates to fuel your body and the nutrients and antioxidants to boost your metabolism, immune system, energy levels, and emotional health.

Lentils:

When you are looking for energy food, you want nutrients that provide hours of useful energy with no crash. Lentils are low on the glycemic index so they provide useful energy without spiking your blood sugar. This means that you won’t feel a crash later. Lentils are also packed with folic acid, known energy booster that is becoming a staple in popular energy drinks.

Figs:

Just two are three figs contain as many as 30 grams of carbohydrates. They also pack in B vitamins that fuel muscles and keep you going. Figs are a popular source of soluble fiber which can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease.

Blueberries:

Blueberries are packed with antioxidant properties and a high ORAC or oxygen radical absorbance capacity. With a single cup you get almost 20 grams of carbohydrates to fuel your day and the power to destroy harmful free radicals that can disrupt your healthy cells.

Oranges:

Instead of grabbing a cup of coffee in the afternoon consider Oranges instead. Natural sugar is the name of the game here. Oranges are packed with sugar that can wake you up fast. They are also packed with vitamin C and flavonoids to boost your immune system.

Soybeans:

Soybeans pack in energy producing nutrients including B vitamins, copper and phosphorous. While the B vitamins help break down carbohydrates into useable fuel (glucose), cooper and phosphorus help convert fuel into energy. Soybeans are a good source of protein too!

Quinoa:

This gluten-free grain offers more protein than any other rice or grain available. Rich in amino acids, Quinoa can help your muscles recover after a long day at work or a tough workout. It’s considered by health professionals to be a complete source of protein. You won’t find that in any other grain.

Goji Berries:

Chinese medicine has promoted the energy boosting properties of goji berries for thousands of years. The berries encourage the release of hormones and improve your ability to handle stress. Goji berries increase blood flow and help your body transport oxygen better.

Pumpkin Seeds:

Consider some roasted pumpkin seeds for a healthy mid-day boost. A small serving is packed with protein, good fats, and fiber. They also contain electrolytes that boost your energy levels including manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.

Spinach:

If you are looking to cut back on calories, spinach offers plenty of antioxidants and B vitamins to fuel your day. Spinach is more of a companion to other super foods as it doesn’t offer carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the source of most of your energy and spinach can boost your metabolism so you make the most of them.

Water:

Sometimes lack of energy is really a symptom of dehydration. Before you reach for a cup of coffee consider how much water you have consumed. Experts recommend 8-10 cups per day minimum. Caffeine can dehydrate you, only contributing to loss of energy when the buzz wears off.

About the Author

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, beauty and fashion. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.