The food marketing industry is quick to prey on those who want to feel great quickly. Who doesn’t want to eat something and get a boost of energy? Thus, the market is saturated with energy shots and pills made with chemicals and unhealthy ingredients, as well as other products said to contain foods that give you a natural boost. The latter of these product groups consists of scams — these companies want your money and don’t care about your health or energy levels.
The good news is that you don’t have to stoop to over the counter energy drinks or scam power food products to feel naturally energized. Foods already exist that have an uplifting effect on your energy levels — you just have to know what they are.
Nuts
Nuts truly are a superfood. First of all, they’re extremely easy to eat and addictive. Many assume that the foods that are healthiest for them will be unappetizing and bland, but nuts break that myth wide open. To top it off, nuts are packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids — all of these nutrients contribute to the energy nuts give you when you eat them.
Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in salmon, the next food on the list. Salmon is a meat that brings a lot to the table, including the ability to lower your risk of heart disease and your cholesterol. What you may not know is that salmon contains Vitamin B6, protein, niacin and riboflavin; all of these nutrients play a pivotal role in your body’s ability to produce energy.
Yogurt
Part of why you may feel sluggish is because your immune system isn’t exactly up to snuff, or your digestive process isn’t firing on all cylinders. A sign that you aren’t as healthy as you’d like to be is a lack of energy that may not have to do with your sleeping habits or stress level. To give yourself a permanent energy boost, eat yogurt regularly. This dairy product has the ability to help your digestion process along by keeping your gut healthy and immune system flourishing.
Mushrooms
Another reason you may feel lethargic is that your blood isn’t oxygenated properly. There can be many different causes to this problem, but a great food-based solution is to eat more mushrooms. Mushrooms are high in iron, a nutrient that helps to transport oxygen around your body via your bloodstream. This process helps to keep your major organs active and alert — and this includes your brain.
Water
Is water cheating because it’s a liquid? Who cares — most of you reading probably don’t drink enough of the stuff! Water may seem boring or tasteless, but it’s vital to your life as a whole. When you’re dehydrated, it shows in how fast your brain is willing to work. Those who drink water are much healthier, more alert and are more likely to be energetic throughout the day.
