Fueling Your Body the Right Way

By Donna Stark

Do you feel sluggish throughout the day and completely exhausted by the end of the night? Are you struggling to focus and get your work done because the energy you need just isn't there? It doesn't matter if you are a student, if you work from home, or if you trek to an office every day, if you aren't fueling yourself with the right type of nutrition, you are seriously doing your body a huge disservice! So put down that energy drink and toss aside the candy bar. It's time to do something different!

Fueling Your Body the Right Way

If your life is busier than ever and you find yourself burning the candle at both ends day after day, you definitely can't skimp on your nutrition. Sacrificing nutrient-dense foods for the convenience of those highly-caffeinated, overly-sugared quick pick-me-ups in the afternoon can wreak havoc on your daily routine. Ideally, you should get all of your energy from whole, natural foods. Take a look.

• Complex carbohydrates - Complex carbs provide your body with the sustained fuel you need to get through your day. These carbohydrates can be found in foods such as brown rice, rolled oats, legumes, starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• Healthy fats - In addition to being an excellent source of energy, healthy fats can also help us feel fuller longer and keep us from overeating all of those unhealthy snacks in the pantry or vending machine in the first place. You can find healthy fats in avocado, nuts, and fatty fish.
• Protein - Although protein is known for how it helps the body repair and build tissue, that isn't the only thing it is good for. It can also be a good energy source. You can find it in fish, meat, nuts, dairy products, eggs, and tofu.

Create Some Balance

Consuming a balanced diet that includes complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein is the key to achieving long-lasting energy throughout your days. And since these foods are also rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, you will end up receiving more benefits than just that increase in energy. Your overall health and wellness will also improve in a significant way!

So start making these changes today. Choose some avocado toast over that pastry in the morning, skip the energy drink and have a glass of water and yogurt for your afternoon snack, and plan the rest of your meals accordingly! Small actions can make a huge difference in the way you perform but more importantly, they can make an even bigger difference in the way you feel!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sandy Springs, Ga.