How a Balanced Diet Will Improve Your Energy Levels

It’s common knowledge that food fuels us. Everything we do in life is powered by food — be it simply walking, working, or performing intense workouts. This means that healthy, balanced diets are crucial for taking on every challenge that lies ahead in our busy lives. Fatigue [endif]People who experience fatigue are always lacking in energy and have less motivation to do anything. Aside from chronic illnesses, Bustle explains that fatigue can also be caused by poor dietary choices. Certain foods that we turn to for increasing energy levels, such as sugar and caffeine, can actually do more harm than good. Consuming sweets and coffee gives us an extra boost for a short amount of time, but almost instantly leads to a crash. This leaves us feeling even more exhausted than before the sugar or caffeine intake. Other food and drinks to watch out for are alcohol, refined grains (e.g., white bread, white rice), dairy, and unhealthy fat, which we normally get from deep fried or processed food. Men’s Health cited a study that found that people who eat a lot of unhealthy fat (i.e., trans fats and saturated fats) are more likely to suffer from daytime sleepiness and sluggishness. This can alter the body’s natural rhythm and lead to sleep deprivation, further depleting a person’s energy sources.

The natural solution

Feeling more invigorated and energized is possible. Nourishing the body with the right amount of macro and micronutrients is a priority here at HammerFit Athletic Club. That’s where we get our carbohydrates, fat, proteins, and all the essential vitamins that boost our immune system to the fullest. For starters, a balanced diet should have the least amount of processed ingredients as possible. Try to stay away from packaged food that are advertised as healthy because even those have unhealthy amounts of preservatives and sodium that can affect heart health. Instead, focus on getting as many nutrients as you can from whole grains, lean protein, fresh fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats in nuts and seeds. These are rich in complex carbohydrates that digest slowly and are better for sustained energy. Lastly, don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. It's also important to note that a balanced diet is not calorie-restrictive. Instead, it is nutrient-inclusive. Take for example tennis superstar Maria Sharapova, an elite athlete listed among Coral's highest earning tennis players. Her long list of accomplishments in sport and fitness makes it easy to forget that she's only 31-years-old. Her secret? She doesn't count calories. Instead, the tennis player told Foods for Better Health that she focuses on getting all her macros and micros from whole foods. A typical meal plan for the professional tennis player consists of rye toast with ham and fruit for breakfast; tomato soup with vegetables and chicken breast for lunch; and fish with rice and vegetables for dinner. Even her snack is a healthy green juice. She maintains top performance with focused training sessions and a well-planned out diet. Eating a balanced diet is especially crucial for highly active individuals. But if you just like going to the gym occasionally, or you aren’t even active at all, you still need to maintain healthy energy levels. Consuming the right kind of food can help achieve that. It can help you sleep better, which will lead to waking up feeling more refreshed. It can even help you get started on working out!