Eating for Energy: 4 Easy Tips



Eating for Energy: 4 Easy Tips

by  on June 5, 2014 
We get it – you’re busy. You barely have time to sleep, much less go to the gym or cook a homemade meal. You fall asleep in class or at your desk, and you zone out every 15 minutes.  The good news is that nutrition can help improve your energy situation. The bad news is that none of these tips are a replacement for actual sleep, so be sure to catch your zzzzs
1.   Stay hydrated. The human body needs adequate water to function, and sometimes fatigue is simply a result of dehydration.  Carry a water bottle with you as a constant reminder. Also, beware of vitamin waters, sports drinks, and energy drinks, which can contain a lot of sugar and/or caffeine. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try jazzing it up with fruit or herbs.  Check out: Better Beverage Finder
2.   Eat often. Meal timing is an important factor in maintaining energy levels. If you skip breakfast or go longer than five hours without any food, then your blood sugar levels are not steady and your brain does not have much fuel to work. Snacks are a great way to prevent you from getting “hangry” if you don’t have time to eat a full meal. With that being said, avoid eating too much food at one time so you don’t end up in a food coma. What exactly should you eat? That brings us to…
3.  Get your macros. There are three macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.  Each of your meals and snacks should contain a balance of all three macronutrients – the combination is a recipe for sustained energy. Here is a great resource for getting your macros: PFC Balanced Eating.
4.       Say “no” to diet bandwagons. Diets usually mean deprivation, which can make it really hard to get adequate amounts of all three macronutrients at each meal.  There is science behind why diets just don’t work.  Plus, do you really want to end up like these folks?
*Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

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