HOW TO BOOST YOUR ENERGY

THESE FIVE NATURAL CHANGES TO YOUR DIET WILL HELP YOU BOUNCE OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING

It’s more common than we realise — debilitating tiredness, a feeling of “I can’t get out of bed” and low stamina.

Energy, specifically the lack of it, is a buzzword on repeat as we struggle to keep up with the demands of life.

From the moment we wake, we turn to a jolt of caffeine to get us humming and our cafe culture has a lot to answer for with regards to overstimulated and tired folk.

With what used to be an innocent cup of Nescafe in the morning, our carefully barista-prepared cup of joe is high on the caffeinated scale and our adrenals are paying for it.

Do you often wake in the mornings and think to yourself “I need a cup of coffee”? How about mid-afternoon?

If coffee is something you turn to when you are tired and looking for a pep up it, unfortunately, could be masking hidden underlying problems that send our body on a daily energydefying roller-coaster ride, much like sugar does.

On top of this, workout supplements that promise “thermogenic” properties to assist in weight loss quite often use the coffee bean and guarana. This plays havoc on an already stressed adrenal system and liver, eventually leading to hormonal imbalances.

For these reasons, it is best to reduce stimulants and improve your nutrition through other avenues of your diet and lifestyle.

Sure, it takes time and maintaining a healthy body is an ongoing process, but anything that returns a quick result will be hard to sustain or have longterm repercussions.

Making some changes to your eating habits is by far the better option, so here are five ways to boost your energy naturally:

1. WATCH THE GLUTEN

This is a no-brainer but so effective. Do you find yourself in a carb coma after lunch or dinner and find it hard to get motivated to do anything? Simple carbohydrates and refined grains in the form of white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes and fries are a major energy zapper so be mindful of how much you consume each day.

Aim to crowd out “white” processed foods with heaps of vegies, proteins and good fats.

2. STOCK UP ON SUPER FOODS

These are foods that I relate to being nutrient-dense. Super foods enhance a healthy diet and supply an array of nutrients that may be lacking in our food today.

Just a teaspoon here or a sprinkle there is all you need to introduce to your diet, especially if you tend to be a creature of habit with your meals.

3. CUT BACK ON CAFFEINE

I’m sorry you probably didn’t want to confront this, but what may be giving you energy is ultimately your undoing. There are some great alternatives to coffee to ease you through a period of reduction, such as decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas and roasted dandelion root to bring you back to no more than a cup a day.

4. PRIORITISE SLEEP

Sleep is simple and free. Make it a priority to go to bed 30 minutes earlier each night until you wake with more bounce in your day.

5. SKIP THE SUGAR

Like caffeine, sugar stresses our system, altering our cortisol levels and leaving us worn out and plain feeling like poo. Fruit is a natural sugar hit but with nutrients (one to two max a day), so when a sweet craving comes a knocking, turn to the fruit bowl.

Take note of everything you eat for a day and you may be surprised at the amount of sugar consumed (read the label) and try to remain within six to eight teaspoons or about 25g (fruit and milk excluded if within reason).

It is a process of switching your tastebuds to a more savoury palate, but the great news is that it does happen if given the chance.