Tired of feeling tired? Instead of reaching for candy or coffee, try one of these energy foods to kick your body into high-gear. You’ll stay fueled all day long without the inevitable sugar crash, and be noticeably more alert!
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There comes a point when enough is enough,and you can’t help but do something drastic.
This is exactly how I felt a year ago when my energy levels plummeted to an all-time low. I’m someone who can’t sustain high-performing tasks for very long anyway, and I need sufficient breaks to regroup and refuel for the next project on my list.
But this wasn’t normal…even for me.
My days melded together like one big haze. My brain couldn’t concentrate. My movements seemed almost robotic at times.
What was wrong? I thought I was getting enough sleep, and I made a point to exercise at least 2-3x per week. I even had a job I loved and wouldn’t trade for the world.
I was, however, eating a lot of sugar.
It’s uncanny how when you realize something, you ironically see blog posts and podcasts and books about it everywhere. Suddenly, I became aware of how much sugar I was consuming from not just obvious foods like desserts and processed snacks, but also in my breakfast cereal, strawberry-flavored yogurt, sandwich bread, and yes, even ketchup!
So I conducted an experiment and said no to sugar for 14 very long days.
It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and every day I wavered between going forward and giving up. I’m so thankful Joseph did this experiment with me, because I might not have lasted very long without him encouraging me to keep going!
What Energy Foods Should You Eat Instead of Sugar?
Because sugar was so prevalent in my diet, my goal was to find energy-boosting foods to replace what I normally ate. Peanut M&M’s just weren’t going to cut it anymore! So I researched which foods provide the most energy, and came up with a list of ones I actually liked eating.
A quick disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist, so I can’t give you all the scientific details of why these foods are natural sources of energy, but what I do know is that theyare the perfect mix of proteins, complex carbs {not refined}, and fiber to keep you fueled throughout the day.
1. Bananas
Bananas arean excellent source for potassium, which lead to low energy levels if you don’t have enough. However, don’t forget they do contain quite a bit of sugar, so bananas might not be a good choice for those who struggle with diabetes.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal {the homemade kind, not the sugary instant packets} are high in fiber, which takes longer to digest. Try exchanging cereal for this breakfast food to power you through the entire morning.
3. Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds are the ultimate ratio of all the nutrients I mentioned above, and even though they seem intimidating, they’re really not! I love making these Energy Bites from Chew Out Loud to give me an extra push throughout the afternoon.
FYI: Chia seeds are much cheaper on Amazon—this is the brand I use.
4. Almonds
Almonds contain good fats, magnesium, and B vitaminswhich help convert food into energy. However, you only want to eat a handful since they are also high in calories.
5. Spinach
Spinach has energy-supporting B-vitamins and is iron dense, which reduces fatigue. I love adding spinach to a salad or eating a spinach and cheese quesadilla for lunch.
6. Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt offers two amazing perks–quick energy right off the bat, because your body can process yogurt rather quickly, whilethe protein from the yogurtsticks around and provides a steady source of energy later on. Add homemade granola on top for some of those oatmeal benefits I mentioned earlier!
7. Broccoli
Broccoli contains high levels of magnesium, potassium, and iron. Not having enough of these nutrientscan lead to low energy levels, so when you’re wondering what side to have for dinner, add broccoli to the menu! Don’t love broccoli? I didn’t either, until I met this broccoli salad with cheese!
8. Avocados
Avocados are another healthy fat, and contain even more potassium than bananas. My favorite way to add avocados to my diet is through thisSkinny Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie.
9. Eggs
Eggs are packed with protein, which helps boost mental alertness. They also contain the nutrient zinc, which converts food into energy.
10. Chicken
Chicken is another food containing plenty of proteinand keeps me both full and energized throughout the day. The B-vitamins also help banish fatigue. Try my Chicken Veggie Stir-Fry for the ultimate Chicken and Broccoli energy combo!
11. Water
Although not technically a food, water is essential to your health! Staying hydrated helps you to stay alert. Dips in water levels slow down your metabolism, so if you are tired or exhausted, it could be because you’re not drinking enough water.
Need creative ideas to incorporate more water into your diet? Here are five fun ways.
What Two Weeks without Sugar Taught Me
Much to my surprise, I felt a noticeable boost in energy levels after just a few days when the initial sugar cravings subsided and I ate more of these nourishing foods.
Which makes sense.
The more I read about how food affects the way our body functions, the more I’m convinced we shouldn’t ignore the connection!
Now whenever my body feels extra sluggish, I know the food I’ve consumed earlier that day is partly to blame. Although I still can’t give up dessert entirely, {I’m not disciplined enough for that!}, I make it a point to rely more on the foods mentioned above to supply extra energy, rather than reaching for a quick sugar fix like I did before.
The next time you feel yourself fading, reach for one of these energy-boosting foods for a quick pick-me-up instead of coffee or candy. When you make smarter choices about how you fuel your body, you’ll stay alert, get more done, and feel AMAZING when you tackle that to-do list!
What favorite food gives you high energy throughout the day?
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Rest assured, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.Read my full disclosure policy here.
