TIRED? Eat These 5 Foods For More Energy

If you’re feeling down and lethargic, try incorporating these foods into your diet.

1. Watermelon

Watermelon is a great energy booster and hydrator, especially during the hot summer months. If you struggle to drink water and meet your daily intake, a great way to fix this is by eating your water, rather than drinking it.  92% of watermelon consists of water! Watermelon is naturally high in sugar, which is part of the reason for the energy boost, amongst the many vitamins and antioxidants your body takes in as well.

Watermelon has many health benefits such as fighting cancer, heart disease, and many other health disorders.

Did you know watermelon has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable? Lycopene is an antioxidant linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye disorders.

“Foods that are high in antioxidants and amino acids allow your body to function optimally,” said Angela Lemond, a Texas-based registered dietitian, nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics(opens in new tab). “Amino acids are the basic building block for protein, and protein is used in virtually every vital function in the body.”

READ MORE: Take a Trip to Space on the Carbon-Neutral Luxury Spaceship

2. Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of several B vitamins, which your body needs for producing energy, controlling inflammation, and protecting heart and brain health.

Below is the B vitamin content in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of wild salmon (2Trusted Source):

  • Vitamin B12: more than 100% of the DV
  • Niacin: 63% of the DV
  • Vitamin B6: 56% of the DV
  • Riboflavin: 38% of the DV
  • Pantothenic acid: 38% of the DV
  • Thiamine: 23% of the DV
  • Folic acid: 7% of the DV

These vitamins are involved in several important processes in your body, including turning the food you eat into energy, creating and repairing DNA, and reducing chronic inflammation, which can lead to disease.

Eating foods that fight inflammation are key to living a healthy life. If you find that your immune system has been weak, there’s a good chance you need to incorporate more healthy foods into your diet and less processed foods.

The 7 Money Personality Types – Which One Are You?

3. Red Meat

Don’t listen to Bill Gates… the wealthy elite does not care about our health, no matter how hard they try to convince us otherwise.

NO, RED MEAT IS NOT BAD FOR YOU!

Everything in moderation is okay.

If it’s natural, real, and from the Earth, it should be healthy (unless Monsanto and other pesticides make their way into it). Thanks FDA! 

Lean cuts of red meat can and should be part of a healthy diet, according to 2016 research published on Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Much like other meats, beef is a great source of protein and essential nutrients.

If possible, opt for grass-fed beef to take in more vitamin E and antioxidants.

11 Ways to Be More Confident

4. Apples

Did you know an apple could replace your cup of coffee?

The vitamins and antioxidants in apples are released slowly which promotes a feeling of higher energy.

Apples give fuel to the body and help balance blood sugar levels. About 25 grams of carbohydrates and 95 calories are contained in a medium-sized apple.

The fiber in apples helps keep you full and energized for longer periods of time without the crash that might come after a cup of coffee.

The jolts, headaches, anxiety, and jitters won’t be present with an apple the way it is with caffeine.

Thinking of Leaving America? The 10 Best Countries For Ex-Pats

5. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is loaded with so many vitamins and nutritional benefits.

It’s also a great source of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, and potassium. Greek yogurt also contains nutrients such as magnesium, choline, and copper.

Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in sugar and carbs.

Yogurt contains lactose, a milk sugar, which is used for energy. It is also high in protein, which helps slow down the absorption of the lactose, making the energy boost last longer and keeping you fuller!

As always, be careful when choosing your Greek yogurt of choice. Siggy’s, FAGE, and Chobani are great choices.

READ MORE: 7 Foods That Cause Anxiety and Depression

 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Elena Patestas is a journalist and writer for Valuetainment media. She attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. She was born and raised in Roslyn, New York, and currently lives in Miami, Florida.

Elena is passionate about bringing positive change to our world and believes education is the root to solving many societal problems. After overcoming a chronic health condition, Elena became passionate about health and believes food is the key to preventing dis-ease and achieving optimum health.

Amongst her many goals, she hopes to bring positive, impactful change to our world to create a healthy, financially sound, and unified society.

2 comments