What Are The Best Foods For Energy Throughout the Day?

The Best Foods For Energy

Food is necessary to keep us going and giving us energy throughout the day. Anyone who has ever tried to work without breakfast or lunch can relate to that. But food can actually be responsible for a lack of energy too, if you eat the wrong things.

If you often find yourself feeling tired, or foggy in the head, then it may be time to have a look at what you’re regularly eating.

So what are the best foods for energy to keep you going throughout the day?

What Are The Best Foods For Energy Throughout the Day?

The reason why certain foods leave you feeling energized throughout the day while others seem to only give you short bursts of energy all relates back to a food’s place on the glycemic index (sometimes referred to as GI).  The glycemic index can be very useful in determining which foods are helpful to your energy levels and which ones are not.

The glycemic index is used to evaluate foods that contain carbohydrates. Specifically, the index looks at how particular foods affect your blood glucose levels. Blood glucose is another way of referring to your blood sugar.

Not all foods are represented on the glycemic index; only foods that contain carbohydrates are evaluated. So, something like red meat, which has a high protein content but is lacking in carbs, will not show up on the glycemic index. The index is very useful for diabetics, but it can also be very helpful for the general population.

High Glycemic vs Low Glycemic Foods

Foods that place high on the glycemic index (70 and above) are digested quickly and will have an immediate effect on your blood sugar. This results in a spike in your energy levels, but your energy levels quickly dissipate after that initial spike.

On the other hand, foods that rank low on the glycemic index take a while to digest. They have less of an impact on your blood sugar levels, but the effect lasts much longer. So, the best foods for energy throughout the day are low glycemic foods.

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Foods To Include

Low glycemic foods are foods that take longer to digest and thus take longer to have an effect on blood sugar levels. Things like fruit, vegetables, beans, and seeds are good examples of low glycemic foods.

Some of the easiest things you can do include swapping white pasta, bread, rice etc. for wholegrain versions. Avoiding sweet treats also helps. Instead, you should snack on nuts and seeds to help keep your energy levels consistent.

Salad makes a great choice for a healthy meal that should keep you energized for longer. To keep you fuller, combine it with some healthy protein, like fish or chicken, and some low GI carbs.

Foods To Avoid

High glycemic foods  are rapidly digested and have a much quicker effect on the blood sugar levels. This includes starchy foods like white rice and most breakfast cereals. So, while that bowl of cornflakes may leave you feeling energized on your way to work, it will quickly dissipate and you’ll be left with no energy throughout the rest of the day.

Likewise, high fructose corn syrup, which is found in many soft drinks, will give you a small boost of energy and then leave you tired for the rest of the day. So avoid drinking soft drinks at lunch.

Are All High Glycemic Foods Bad News?

If you want a quick burst of energy that won’t last long, then you want to eat high glycemic foods. They will digest quickly and you will get the rush of energy quicker. This can be useful in certain situations, such as exercise. The downside is that because they digest quicker, you will feel hungrier faster. If you want to feel fuller and don’t need a quick burst of energy, then go for low glycemic foods. You will still get the energy boost when the food digests, it will just take much longer to kick in.

6 Daily Habits To Boost Your Energy Levels

Lifestyle choices, poor diet and a lack of physical activity all influence your energy levels. At one time or another, all of us can use a boost in our energy level. Because we are creatures of habit and function on bio-rhythms, getting into a daily routine of practicing certain habits will keep us going day-in and day-out. Download this Free Report that reveals 6 habits that should be part of your daily routine.