Written by Jan Bruce, CEO and co-founder of meQuilibrium.
People always want to know, "What can I eat to give me energy?" The answer? Food. Real food. The irony is that we're in a culture in which energy is sold in tiny, expensive bottles or packaged in cellophane with an energy promise printed on the label. In fact, real food will give you real energy -- the key is making sure what you're eating isn't draining you of it.
Challenge yourself to make some changes in your food habits and set the stage for a calmer, more focused day. (Want to make an even more dramatic change? Take the 28-day Challenge.)
Tip #1: Kick Your Breakfast Up a Notch
Most important meal of the day, right? Then time to stop eating thinly-disguised desserts first thing in the morning. A more nutrient-rich breakfast can help you manage your weight by warding off late-day bingeing. It will also stabilize blood sugar. Because when it dips, so does your hand -- right into the donut box.
Try this:
- Add lean protein. Adding foods like Greek yogurt, lentils, eggs, poultry, and fish (think smoked salmon) can keep you fuller longer and bump up your energy levels.
Tip #2: Skip the Vending Machine
Prepackaged snacks are not a food group. Food is food, and when you're hungry, you should eat it. Pass on the vending machine and upgrade your between-meal bites to include actual fruits, veggies, grains, fats, and proteins. You'll sustain your energy and avoid the sugar crash.
Try this instead:
- Cut up veggies and hummus or tahini sauce.
Try:
- Frozen berries, bananas, an apple, and some spinach or kale.
Tip #3: Buy Foods in Their Original Form
If you can eat most things right out of the bag on your way home from the grocery store, that's a sure sign you're relying heavily on processed and packaged foods. They're not all bad, mind you, but if you want to eat for your health and not just for what you can grab with one hand, buy foods in their original, whole, unprocessed form: fruits, veggies, and grains.
Much of what you buy should require that you do something to it -- wash, peel, cut, steam, sauté. The more something is "done" to a food before you eat it, the less of its original nutrients it retains. Keep that in mind as you shop the perimeter for your next grocery order.
Want to step up your stress management? Take our 28-day Challenge and get a free assessment that helps you identify the root causes of your stress and have 28 days of unlimited access to your customized action plan to help you tackle them.
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Jan Bruce is CEO and co-founder of meQuilibrium, www.mequilibrium.com, the new digital coaching system for stress, which helps both individuals and corporations achieve measurable results in stress management and wellness.
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