Five ways to boost your energy with food

Every mom is a super woman.  Seriously, the whole month of May should be dedicated to celebrate moms, and not just the second Sunday. After all, as moms we juggle work, family, kids and the lion’s share of household chores.  Here are five ways to get super-sized energy to match our packed lifestyle:

 

1)     Get your morning energy boost: Yes, we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But really, how good can it be? Chew on this: Eating food within two hours of waking up will help charge your body with much-needed fuel. Eating breakfast is also one of the most powerful ways to rev up your metabolism.  And, breakfast means you’re less likely to overeat later on in the day.

 

2)     Pick protein : While I don’t like talking about nutrients, protein deserves a special mention. Eating meals and snacks that have protein can help curb your hunger and keep your energy levels up. But there’s no need to go Paleo. Think eggs for breakfast, chickpea salad for lunch, and fish, chicken or beef for dinner.

 

3)     Make friends with fibre: Fibre slows down how quickly your body breaks down and absorbs food energy. Skip the coffee shop pastries and other refined carbs, which will send your blood sugar levels on a rollercoaster ride. Good options include high-fibre cereal, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

 

4)     Snack right:  I’m a big believer in snacking. I’m talking real snacks like fruit, yogurt and nuts to name a few of my favourites. Eating an afternoon snack helps me make it to dinner without being cranky.

 

5)     Stay hydrated: Drink water and other fluids, like juice and milk throughout the day. Dehydration can have a wilting effect on your energy.  Even tea and coffee count. Surprised? If you’re used to drinking caffeinated drinks, your body adapts, and overall you gain more water that you lose. But keep your caffeine intake in check with no more than three cups a day.

Energy boosting trail mix

 

Whenever I’m on the go, I like to pack a little snack to keep me going. One of my fave combos is almonds and raisins. Mix in a little whole grain cereal and you’ve got a stellar snack.

Customize your own trail mix. Choose sweet or savoury options. Pack in a reusable container, and you’ve got energy in a box.

• Step 1: Pick nuts and seeds – Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, soy nuts, peanuts, roasted chickpeas

• Step 2: Choose dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, dates, banana chips, mango, apricots, apple

• Step 3: Add whole grain cereal: the first ingredient should be a whole grain, it doesn’t matter if it says organic e.g. Cheerios, Chex, Mini-Wheats, Spoon-size Shredded Wheat, Fibre 1, Raisin Bran

 

(For a list of healthy cereals: http://www.cspinet.org/nah/04_06/cereal_can.pdf)