The combination of work, school, life, and relationships can cause too little sleep, too much stress, and too little time to eat healthy, energy-boosting foods. For round-the-clock energy, complex carbs will provide you with sufficient energy, whereas too many sugary snacks in your diet can lead to energy crashes. Our energy is obtained from the foods we eat and the liquids we drink. The three main nutrients used for energy are carbohydrates, protein, and fats, with carbohydrates being the most important source. Protein and fats can also be used for energy when carbs have been depleted. Carbohydrates come in two types, simple and complex, and both are converted to sugar, which the body uses to provide energy. Complex carbohydrates such as high-fiber cereals, whole-grain breads and pastas, dried beans, and starchy vegetables are the best type of foods for prolonged energy because they are digested at a slow, consistent rate. Simple carbohydrates should be avoided, these range from candy to cookies to sugary and caffeinated beverages, and are broken down and absorbed quickly by the body. Tara Harwood, registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, recommends three meals and three snacks a day and recommends that you never go over three to four hours without eating something. Lastly, it is important to include something from each food group at every meal, this will ensure that your body is receiving the proper nutrients to effectively function each day. So when life is hectic, it is imperative to your heath that you consider your food choices for each day…your body will thank you with an abundance of energy.
