WHAT TO EAT FOR AN ENERGY SLUMP

So often, mid-afternoon usually, we hit an energy slump. And often we reach for a candy bar or other sweet to give us a boost. What a wrong choice. A recent study from the University of Cambridge found that it is protein, not sugar, that activates the cells responsible for keeping us awake and burning calories. Suggested items for snacking during that energy slump are low-fat cheese (I like string cheese), a couple slices turkey breast, hard-boiled egg, a handful -approximately 10 - nuts, or a cup of Greek yogurt just to mention a few.

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PUMPKIN IS AN ENERY BOOSTER

Pumpkin is often thought of as a Fall and/or Holiday food. That couldn't be more wrong. Pumpkin is a healthy food and should be eaten all through the year. According to scientists at Mississippi's Jackson State University, having some pumpkin daily could send your energy level soaring. They credit the carotenoids, the pigments that give pumpkins their orange hue, with helping muscles produce ATP. ATP is a potent energizing molecule. Other orange foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes also contain carotenoids. For some reason, I'm not a scientist so don't ask me, pumpkin seems to be the one with the most energy potent traits.

One way to add more pumpkin to your diet is to add some pumpkin puree to your pancake and/or waffle batter.

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GREEN TEA FOR ENERGY

Many of you follow Dr. Oz faithfully.  I do not but I do notice when he mentions things, I have found to be true.  One of those things is drinking green tea for energy.  Dr. Oz is quoted as saying, "I drink green tea," when asked what he does for an energy boost.  He went on to say, "It has lots of energizing phenols but a quarter of the caffeine of coffee, so I won't get jittery.  Avoid sodas and energy drinks, which give you a quick sugar rush but then you crash."

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SOME BENEFITS OF BANANAS

Here are some facts about bananas of which you may not be aware.  Consider these facts:

• Bananas have 2Xs as many (good) carbs as an apple
• Bananas have 5Xs as much iron and vitamin A as an apple
• Bananas have 3Xs as much phosphorus as an apple
• Bananas are rich in potassium 
• Bananas have natural sugar
• Bananas are a great source of natural energy because of the rich amounts of vitamins and minerals
• Bananas can boost your mood because they contain mood-controlling  tryptophan
• A Banana at lunch is good for students as the potassium in bananas can boost brain power and alertness

These are just a few of the benefits of bananas you may not be aware of.  Unless you have an allergy or other health reasons why you should not, include bananas in your diet on a regular basis.

WATER FOR AN ENERGY BOOST

Are you feeling sluggish in the mornings?  Try drinking a glass of cool/cold water in the morning. The coldness is invigorating and the water helps you start your day hydrated. My daughter who works in the medical field tells me we should start our day with a glass of water even before coffee. You don't have to drink a lot, an 8-oz glass will do. That is only 1 cup, so it is not hard to do.

Should It Be A Banana A Day to Keep the Doctor Away?

 

Instead of eating an apple each day for optimum health, the adage should state that a banana each day keeps the doctor away.  Here we examine why.  The banana health benefits far outweigh those of the apple because it has many more vitamins and nutrients than their round counterparts.  

If you are diabetic, you may have been told to only eat half a banana at a time.  Here is the reason why; a banana has twice the carbs as an apple and also more natural sugar.  So, beware of that if you are a diabetic.  But here is the good news, a banana has five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus as an apple. In addition, bananas are also rich in potassium. 

The banana a “super food” that is an integral part of a healthy daily diet regimen.

Because of the abundance of vitamins and minerals, bananas are a great source of natural energy. Eating only two bananas will give you enough energy to exercise or workout for an hour and a half.  Note: If you are a diabetic and you eat two bananas you had better workout for an hour and a half!

Bananas are also ideal for eating during that midday lull when you feel tired and sluggish.  Instead of drinking caffeine or having a sugary snack, bananas provide a level of energy that lasts longer without the dramatic crash caused by caffeine and/or sugar.

Would you believe bananas are a brain food?  Because they are rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. 

Potassium is also helpful for reducing strokes and regulating blood pressure because of the way it promotes circulatory health.  Bananas are one of the foods commonly recommended for anyone suffering with high blood pressure.

The above are just a few of the benefits of eating bananas.  Are bananas a regular part of your diet?

Note: some of the above information was gathered from LifeScript

SUGAR AND DEPRESSION

Are you aware that high sugar intake and depression go hand in hand?  If you battle depression and you crave sweets, try substituting honey for some of the sugar you normally consume.  Honey contains traces of B vitamins, folate, iron, manganese, plus 181 different bioactive compounds such as quercetin, caffeic acid, etc which boosts energy production in the brain.

I wonder if this strange connection has anything to do with the fact that people who get depressed about something tend to overeat and put on weight.  Perhaps they get into a cycle where the depression feeds the sugar cravings and the sugar cravings feed the depression.  Keep this in mind the next time you feel depressed and reach for a candy bar, piece of cake, etc.

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DIGESTING WHOLE FOODS

There are several reasons for eating whole foods rather than processed. Many of those reasons are discussed on this blog. Another reason, this one not mentioned previously, to eat whole foods versus processed foods is that you burn 50% more energy digesting the whole foods.

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