Did you know that eating the right foods could help boost your energy levels?
Fatigue is a real problem in Australia with 1.5 million people seeing their doctor about it every year.1 While some people do feel tired some days, when it persists, it’s known as fatigue. Not eating well could be making you feel tired all the time.
A great first step to fixing your tiredness is looking at the types of food you usually eat. If you find it hard to keep track, keeping a simple food diary will help you understand your eating habits and patterns and make better food choices.
Unhealthy eating habits and processed foods can cause you to feel tired, messing with your blood sugar levels, causing mood swings or lethargy. Think of your body as a car and the food you eat as fuel. The wrong type of fuel can mess with the car’s internal system, much like unhealthy foods can make your body sick.
If you often feel tired during the day, here are some foods you can eat to provide your body with a slow release of energy.
Dates
Craving something sweet mid-morning? Reach for some dates rather than a biscuit or chocolate bar. Dates are Mother Nature’s sweets and packed with tons of goodness like:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Iron
These essential minerals are necessary for healthy bodily functions and alertness levels. Dates are also easily digested by the body, so it’ll break them down quickly providing you with energy.
Keep some dates on your desk, or in your purse for when the munchies hit. Or better yet, add it to your morning smoothie. Dates are also lower in calories compared to other processed options.
Wholegrains and complex carbs
Eating wholegrains and complex carbs like oats, bulgur, quinoa helps your body get a slow release of energy throughout the day. Your blood levels will stay stable, and you’ll feel full for longer reducing those sugar cravings or the urge to eat the bad stuff.
Start your day with oats and berries or chuck a couple of tablespoons of oats in your smoothie. Add wholegrains or legumes in your meals – to soups or salads.
Avocado
Foods high in healthy fats like avocado make you feel satisfied and less likely to want to snack on sugary foods. Adding half an avocado to your wholegrain toast in the morning with a boiled egg makes it a healthy and wholesome meal in which to start the day.
Avocados are rich in:
- vitamins C, E, K, and B6
- riboflavin
- niacin
- folate
- pantothenic acid
- magnesium
- potassium
- lutein
- beta carotene
- omega-3 fatty acids
With avocados being so cheap now, it makes perfect sense to add it in to your diet. Avocados also taste great in salad or in smoothies and have no cholesterol!
Almonds
Did you know that eating almonds first thing in the morning is great for health? This powerhouse nut is packed with healthy fats, protein and fiber which is essential for gut health.
How many almonds can you eat a day? Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend 30g of nuts for most days of the week.2
Spinach
Spinach can help boost your energy levels when eaten frequently. Spinach is rich in magnesium, potassium, folate, fiber and calcium which are essential for healthy body functions.
It’s so versatile and tasty and can be eaten raw, steamed, or cooked. Add it to an omelette, salad, or blend in smoothies.
Want a healthier energy drink?
If you love drinking energy drinks and are looking for a healthier version, try XS™ Energy Drinks. Supercharged with four essential B vitamins and containing extracts rich in antioxidant properties, XS™ Energy Drink is lower in sugar and a healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks. Choose from a range of delicious flavours to fuel any day, task or adventure so you can go about your day feeling great.
XS™ Energy Drinks are low in sugar, light on calories, but big on taste. With a great range of unique flavours blended with B vitamins, it’s the energy boost you need to get more out of your day, so you feel ready to take on absolutely anything. XS™ Energy was the first exclusively sugar-free energy drink brand sold globally*.
XS™ Energy Drinks are lower in sugar compared to other leading brands
Per 100ml, many energy drinks** in the market have around 45 calories (190kJ) with 10-12g of sugar (approximately 2 teaspoons). Many non-diet soft drinks have, per 100ml, around 30 calories (130kJ) with over 8g of sugar. XS™ Energy Drinks contain no more than 16 calories (70kJ) or 3.2g of sugar per 100ml, making them a healthier alternative to most energy and soft drinks.
Has ingredients rich in antioxidant properties
Each XS™ Energy Drink contains Acerola Cherry and Baobab Fruit Extracts, two ingredients which are rich in antioxidant properties.
Available in different flavours, and a caffeine-free version.
Advisory
Usage
- Recommended consumption per day is 1 can.
- Not recommended for children under 15 years of age, pregnant or lactating women and those sensitive to caffeine.
- This product contains 80mg of caffeine per serving.
References
1 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
2 https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/nuts-and-seeds
*Source: http://www.euromonitor.com/amway-claims
**Compared with Mother® Black Energy Drink, V® Green, Red Bull® Energy Drink and Monster® Energy Drink in November 2019.
