The Best Food Sources to Help You Maintain Energy
It’s a busy world we live in. With the many social platforms and non-stop pace of fitness, I sometimes find myself working 12, 18 and even 20 hours a day!
The workload can take a huge toll on my energy stores. A lot of people ask me, “how the heck do you have so much energy all the time?” Many assume that my energy comes from caffeine, but they are wrong!
A big part of my energy comes from my nutrition, which consists of what I like to call “energy food.”
Energy food is how I use food for energy instead of turning to caffeine or other stimulants.
Don’t get me wrong. Like many of you reading this right now, I learned the hard way about how too much caffeine can hurt instead of help.
Too much caffeine?
Yep. It’s a thing.
We sip coffee, Red Bull and other energy drinks hoping for the big boost, and after awhile we notice that the big “boost” just doesn’t happen. We end up more irritated, confused and tired.
Why does this happen?
When you consume too much caffeine, you produce cortisol, a.k.a. “the stress hormone.” Cortisol sucks. It drains you of energy, makes you irritable, and yeah, you are more “stressed.” Nobody wants that, right?
What can you do?
This is where the energy food comes into play.
Load up on these energy food sources and watch your stress levels decrease, your energy increase and your overall mood improve drastically.
Check it out.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Just 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. I use this at night and mix it with a tablespoon of honey. It helps me with my sleep, and we all know how much sleep increases energy. In addition, apple cider vinegar helps with acid reflux, heartburn and can even help control blood sugar.
Almonds
Almonds provide magnesium, which is a key nutrient for energy production.
I eat 2 handfuls per day.
Oatmeal
If I know I have a long day ahead of me, I eat high-quality oatmeal for breakfast. This sticks to my gut for hours and provides me with the great carbs I need for focus and energy. Oh yeah, and it helps pack in fiber, which also helps boost energy.
Black Beans
Fiber is a beast! Yep, it does clean you out, but it’s a huge help with keeping your energy up and staying level throughout the entire day.
Sardines
This might be the most underrated food out there. Sardines pack a ton of B12 vitamins and protein. The B12 vitamins are crucial for turning the foods you eat into energy.
Trust me when I say this: They are not as gross as they look! They taste amazing. Just try them.
If you can’t man up and eat sardines, you can always go to EmergenC, which is a B12 vitamin supplement. The only difference is that EmergenC has more carbs. It’s your choice!
Dark Chocolate
If I need to, I will eat 1 or 2 pieces of dark chocolate. Nature’s natural caffeine! Just make sure you get a high-quality brand that isn’t loaded with sugar. Be smart here! Don’t eat 2 packs of chocolate a day and wonder why you’re not losing weight!
Water
When you are dehydrated, everything sucks. Your energy is whack, it’s tough to focus, you get out of breath fast and yeah, it just sucks.
Water plays a huge role in energy production. In order for essential chemical reactions to happen in your body, you need to fuel up and stay hydrated!
Make it even better by starting a training program! Email me for details.
Follow me for more on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook
P.S. Do you like my content? If so, please do me a huge favor and give me a vote in the Men’s Health Ultimate Guy Contest? Your support will mean the world to me.
READ MORE:
- 9 Essential Energy and Recovery Foods
- These 8 Calorie-Dense Foods Provide All-Day Energy
- 12 Foods Every Athlete Should Eat
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The Best Food Sources to Help You Maintain Energy
It’s a busy world we live in. With the many social platforms and non-stop pace of fitness, I sometimes find myself working 12, 18 and even 20 hours a day!
The workload can take a huge toll on my energy stores. A lot of people ask me, “how the heck do you have so much energy all the time?” Many assume that my energy comes from caffeine, but they are wrong!
A big part of my energy comes from my nutrition, which consists of what I like to call “energy food.”
Energy food is how I use food for energy instead of turning to caffeine or other stimulants.
Don’t get me wrong. Like many of you reading this right now, I learned the hard way about how too much caffeine can hurt instead of help.
Too much caffeine?
Yep. It’s a thing.
We sip coffee, Red Bull and other energy drinks hoping for the big boost, and after awhile we notice that the big “boost” just doesn’t happen. We end up more irritated, confused and tired.
Why does this happen?
When you consume too much caffeine, you produce cortisol, a.k.a. “the stress hormone.” Cortisol sucks. It drains you of energy, makes you irritable, and yeah, you are more “stressed.” Nobody wants that, right?
What can you do?
This is where the energy food comes into play.
Load up on these energy food sources and watch your stress levels decrease, your energy increase and your overall mood improve drastically.
Check it out.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Just 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. I use this at night and mix it with a tablespoon of honey. It helps me with my sleep, and we all know how much sleep increases energy. In addition, apple cider vinegar helps with acid reflux, heartburn and can even help control blood sugar.
Almonds
Almonds provide magnesium, which is a key nutrient for energy production.
I eat 2 handfuls per day.
Oatmeal
If I know I have a long day ahead of me, I eat high-quality oatmeal for breakfast. This sticks to my gut for hours and provides me with the great carbs I need for focus and energy. Oh yeah, and it helps pack in fiber, which also helps boost energy.
Black Beans
Fiber is a beast! Yep, it does clean you out, but it’s a huge help with keeping your energy up and staying level throughout the entire day.
Sardines
This might be the most underrated food out there. Sardines pack a ton of B12 vitamins and protein. The B12 vitamins are crucial for turning the foods you eat into energy.
Trust me when I say this: They are not as gross as they look! They taste amazing. Just try them.
If you can’t man up and eat sardines, you can always go to EmergenC, which is a B12 vitamin supplement. The only difference is that EmergenC has more carbs. It’s your choice!
Dark Chocolate
If I need to, I will eat 1 or 2 pieces of dark chocolate. Nature’s natural caffeine! Just make sure you get a high-quality brand that isn’t loaded with sugar. Be smart here! Don’t eat 2 packs of chocolate a day and wonder why you’re not losing weight!
Water
When you are dehydrated, everything sucks. Your energy is whack, it’s tough to focus, you get out of breath fast and yeah, it just sucks.
Water plays a huge role in energy production. In order for essential chemical reactions to happen in your body, you need to fuel up and stay hydrated!
Make it even better by starting a training program! Email me for details.
Follow me for more on Instagram , Twitter, and Facebook
P.S. Do you like my content? If so, please do me a huge favor and give me a vote in the Men’s Health Ultimate Guy Contest? Your support will mean the world to me.
READ MORE:
- 9 Essential Energy and Recovery Foods
- These 8 Calorie-Dense Foods Provide All-Day Energy
- 12 Foods Every Athlete Should Eat
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