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Feeling run down after a stressful day in the office or after your exercise workout? This list may be for you! Real Buzz recommends these five energy-boosting foods you can count on when you need that additional push:
1. Oats — Oats may deliver B vitamins needed to boost brain function, and can help provide body fuel and minerals like calcium, selenium, magnesium and manganese.
A caveat about, oats, though: They are mostly contaminated with glyphosate, a harmful chemical often found in herbicides like Roundup. Your best choice is to purchase organic oats, but if organic isn’t available, it may be best to avoid them and opt for the other choices below.
2. Chocolate — This delightful snack contains caffeine, theobromine (a stimulant usually found in energy drinks) and some amounts of magnesium and chromium that may assist with energy production. When you purchase chocolate, though, just remember that most chocolates sold in supermarkets and stores are heavily processed and loaded with sugars and sweeteners, which can put you at risk for other health problems.
That’s why it’s best to opt for dark chocolates with a high cocoa percentage, preferably at 70% or more. Better yet, try cacao nibs, which are tasty and available in little bite-sized chunks. Also remember, while chocolate may be a sweet and delicious treat, it’s not a true “chocolate,” in that it not only doesn’t contain chocolate solids, but is a processed product heavily laden with sugars and emulsifiers.
3. Fruits — Fruits like watermelons, cantaloupes and berries are high in water that can combat dehydration, a known cause of low energy levels. Eating fruits rich in energy-boosting B vitamins (includes bananas and avocados) and vitamin C (found in berries, kiwifruits and citrus fruits) may be helpful too.
Just make sure to eat them in moderation because fruits are abundant in natural sugars that can trigger insulin resistance and other health problems.
4. Green tea — Green tea can raise your energy levels because of its caffeine content. This tea may also help increase your body’s fluid levels, optimize blood sugar levels to prevent fatigue-causing energy spikes and crashes, and promote weight loss and better brain function. If you’re interested in green tea as an energy booster, try to purchase high-quality matcha green tea from a reputable seller.
5. Beetroot — Eating organic beetroots may be beneficial because it houses energy-boosting nutrients like vitamin C, iron, magnesium and nitrate. But eat them in moderation — due to their sugar content, they can be counterproductive if you eat too much of them.
While you can eat beets raw, fermenting them may be better. The fermentation process allows the nutrients in the vegetables to become more bioavailable, allowing you to receive good amounts of beneficial bacteria and enzymes.
The good news is you don’t have to rely on products like sports drinks to give you an energy boost. Plus, the alternative options are inexpensive, easy-to-prepare and may even be readily available in your home.