When your energy dips during the day, do you reach for popular pick-me-up snacks and wonder why they have a short lasting effect? Those sugary snacks, along with tea and coffee, are in fact stressing your adrenals. This makes them release ‘fight or flight’ hormones like cortisol, causing blood sugar levels to spike and dip, which results in low energy. Over time this may lead to adrenal exhaustion, which can give rise to a host of uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, mood swings and sugar cravings.
All-day energy doesn’t come from a pill or a concoction in a can. It comes from real food, which is packed with nature’s secret stash of natural revitalisers such as complex carbs, protein, and fiber. And you can find all of this right in your own kitchen. To increase and maintain your energy, it’s crucial to eat in ways that balance your blood sugar, support healthy adrenal function and keep you feeling good throughout the day.
START right. Skipping breakfast is not an option. Aim to include protein to help slow the glycaemic response (sugar release) in the body. Say goodbye to sugary cereals! Quinoa flakes are a great substitute for traditional porridge as it’s a complete protein in itself. Try quinoa flake porridge sprinkled with ground flax and pumpkin seeds with almond milk. Or try wholegrain spelt toast spread with almond butter (nut butters are gaining popularity and are great for protein).
EAT healthy snacks. Protein-rich snacks are great for stabilising blood sugar and energy levels. Try a small handful of almonds with pumpkin seeds and ginger tea (great for the adrenals). Or then humus on rice cakes topped with some rocket and sprouts. Or a low glycaemic green veggie juice with either chlorella or spirulina superfood added for additional protein.
HYDRATE your body. Drink six to eight glasses of pure water daily for hydration, adrenal health and flowing Chi energy. Decrease the caffeine, bump out the alcohol (at least during the week), drink vegetable juices and herbal teas instead.
MAKE sure you get enough protein. Focus on eating plenty of beans, nuts and seeds if vegetarian, or gentle animal protein like organic free-range eggs, fish or goat cheese at each meal.
INCLUDE alkalising vegetables with every meal. Aim for a variety of organic seasonal vegetables with plenty of greens. Most vegetables give nourishment without creating blood sugar spikes (careful with starchy potatoes). Vitamin B complex is found in leafy greens, broccoli, and bananas. Thiamin (vitamin B1) is abundant in seeds, nuts, split peas, buckwheat sprouts, sunflower seeds, and garlic. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is found in collard greens, kale, parsley, broccoli, beet greens, and prunes. Vitamin C is provided by kale, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, citrus fruit, papayas, and strawberries. Vitamin E is found in tomatoes, carrots, asparagus, watercress, and spinach. Iron is abundant in beets with greens, carrots, apples, blackberries, parsley, chard, cabbage, and pineapple.
And finally, take appropriate exercise on a regular basis to help keep fit, calm and energised!
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