The Best Foods for Energy and Weight Loss

Using Food for a Natural Energy Boost

We as humans only have so much energy to expend each day and each one of us at some point yearn for extra boost to keep us motoring through our lives. All to often, the first things we reach for in times of low energy and distress are full of sugar, caffeine and saturated fat.

The best way to give yourself a natural energy boost is to make sure you're supplementing your body with the right nutrients. Poor diet choices will ultimately decrease your energy levels and increase your stress levels while choosing to fuel your body with the foods below will help you to maintain your energy and are guaranteed to promote your overall health through whatever life throws at you!

Dark, Leafy Greens

Green is the color of life. Think about the seasons, especially spring time, when mother nature is just oozing life with all its greenness, fresh air and allergy stimulating pollen. When it comes to dark, leafy green foods, they give off just as much life when ingested as do the trees during the spring. Not only are greens low in calories, they also contain nitrites, which aid in burning fat by converting fat-storing white cells into fat-burning brown cells.

These vegetables give you the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep your energy levels at a high level so that you can be your best each day. Typically, the greener the leaves, the more nutrient dense the vegetable is with spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage are all great choices. The greener the better!

Pro tip: Try adding a small serving of greens to your omelette or smoothie - I guarantee you won't notice any taste difference!

Green veggies are also a great source of fiber, which is ideal for your gut. Fiber keeps things moving and a happy gut equals a happy, energized you.

Citrus Fruits

Fruit in general is a great energy booster as your brain and body soak up all of the natural sugar like a sponge tossed into a pool. Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruit have the ability to stimulate the sensory systems in your brain and because they're loaded with Vitamin C, these foods help with memory, reasoning as well as overall brain and nerve function.

On top of helping your brain to function more efficiently, citrus fruits are considered water-rich and help ensure you stay hydrated, which as you'll learn later in this post, is essential to making sure your body is performing at its peak.

Pro tip: If you're looking for a refreshing start to your day, drink a glass of lemon water before you ingest any caffeine or food. I was reluctant at first but now I can't start my day without a refreshing glass of ice cold lemon water in a chilled glass.

Dark Chocolate

You're reading this right, dark chocolate is actually a great energy boosting food. Cocoa contains small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, which are stimulants, and when used in moderation, dark chocolate can be a tasty mid day energy boost!

Research demonstrates that, “Acute as well as chronic ingestion of flavanol-rich cocoa is associated with increased blood flow to cerebral gray matter". This increased circulation can help your brain to stay sharp and focused in times when you may be feeling like your on empty.

Pro tip: Keep small, single portions with you at work or school and consume when you need a boost of energy.

Nuts

You can find nuts in energy bars or snack packs at your local grocery store for good reason. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and the like, offer your body a variety of vitamins, minerals, and, most importantly, dietary fat.

Fat helps your body use energy over a longer period of time, which helps keep you from crashing after snacking. So for sustained energy, nuts are your go-to energy booster (provided you don't have a nut allergy). To keep them super healthy, try to eat sprouted, soaked, or raw nuts. Your intestines will thank you.

Keep a can at your desk and have a handful when you're hungry. Walnuts are high in ALA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid; peanuts are high in folate and vitamin E; and almonds have more calcium than any other nut.

Water

It seems like a lame tip, but a lot of people forget to stay hydrated. Your brain legitimately can't work properly if it's not hydrated. So, drink up! A great way to drink water (hot or cold) is to add some lemon slices. That way, you can harness the power of citrus while providing my body and mind with the hydration it needs to stay on point.

Combine these healthy eats with exercise and you've got a power combo. Stretch, walk, run, or do yoga—every day. Do this consistently and you'll feel more energized, with a clearer mind and body.