Constant fatigue is a feature of modern-day life. Most working-class people suffer from perpetual exhaustion. They survive on caffeine, refined carbs, and sweets to keep their sugar high, but experience energy crashes every few hours.
Unfortunately, this unhealthy cycle is depleting your body’s energy reserves. What healthy alternatives are there?
Foods that power your brain
Here's our handy list of brain foods to include in your diet to help sustain your energy. Remember, no single food has miraculous powers to keep your energy up all day. Your overall diet should be healthy; otherwise, it's a waste of time.
1. Foods high in chlorophyll
Chlorophyll provides oxygenating energy into the bloodstream, thus improving brain function.
Go for darker leafy greens- these have more chlorophyll. You can make juice or fresh salad daily from any of these:
• swiss chard
• arugula
• sprouts
• parsley
• kale
• cilantro
Apart from greens, algae also have lots of chlorophyll:
• spirulina
• chlorella
• blue-green algae
2. Superfoods
These foods have a dozen or more beneficial properties, such as phytochemicals and nutrients. Examples include:
MACA
Maca has been cultivated in the Andes of South America for nearly 2,600 years and used medicinally.
Maca provides benefits such as enhanced strength and stamina, boosting your libido, and decreased stress levels. Mix 1 tablespoon of the root powder in smoothies, nut milk, teas, oatmeal, and coffee.
CACAO
Cacao is chocolate in the raw bean form before adding sugars, fats, and sweeteners during processing.
This wonder plant from the Amazon contains magnesium (for brain power) and phenylethylamine compounds (PEA), which increase your focus and alertness. It also has flavonols that increase blood flow to the brain.
You can find cacao in various raw forms like powder, whole beans, nibs, organic and vegan chocolate bars, and butter.
BEE POLLEN
Bee pollen is high in all twenty-two amino acids and B vitamins, which give an energy boost.
Pollen also increases the number of red blood cells in the human body. More red blood cells means your body receives more oxygen; thus, you have more energy.
3. Essential fatty acids
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: EPA, ALA, and DHA. DHA occurs in fatty fish such as trout, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and wild salmon.
DHA promotes brain nutrition and memory. The body does not produce DHA, so we need to consume supplements or eat natural sources of it. The latter include:
chia seeds
flax seeds
hemp seeds
walnuts
You can sprinkle these on your daily salad and enjoy higher energy levels.
4. Healthy carbs
Sources of healthy glucose include sweet potatoes, brown rice, and whole grains like oatmeal. These complex carbs have a low glycemic index (GI)- the rate at which sugar enters the body cells.
Low GI foods give you steady energy throughout the day. Other options include lentil, chickpea, and kidney beans. Avoid processed cereals, sugary juices, sweet granolas, and processed bread.
Energy balls recipe
Do you want a boost of energy on the go? Here our easy recipe.
Raw maca & cacao energy balls
INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons of honey
½ cup of maca powder
½ cup of raw cacao powder
¼ teaspoon of Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of vanilla
¼ cup of almond (or any other dairy-free) milk
1 cup raw almond butter (or your favorite nut butter)
⅓ cup unsweetened or chopped nuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients (except the shredded coconut) in a food processor and blend until smooth. Scoop the mixture out and roll into balls on wax paper. You may also roll balls into a bowl of chopped nuts or shredded coconut to coat the outside for extra flavor. Refrigerate for a few days. Enjoy!
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
