TeamFLEX Newsletter

Weight Loss Spotlight

Energy Recipes

Diet Recipes for Energy

If you pay close attention to how you feel after eating certain food as well as combinations of foods you will learn what food gives you more energy and what doesn't.

We already know that eating a meal high in complex carbohydrates will take so much energy from your digestive system to process that in fact you will feel really sleepy when this occur. Food with little or no nutritional value will likewise bring your energy level down since your body has not been fed the proper fuel to produce more energy from.

In order to keep your energy levels somewhat stabile while on a diet you need to keep a few things in mind. The most important thing to remember is to eat every three hours to prevent your blood sugar levels to drop to the level where you start to feel dizzy and weak. If you are on a low carbohydrate diet, the hours between meals are going to be even more of importance since you might not consume enough carbohydrates in each meal to carry you over to the next one without experiencing a drop in energy.

This is however easily prevented with an enough vegetables in each meal as well as a good protein snack in between two solid food meals. You don't want to reach the point when you are so hungry that you feel weak. If this happens you need to eat a little bit more during the previous meal. There is unfortunately no set amount for everybody that is accurate, since each individual is different.

Remember to stop eating when you first start to feel somewhat full or you will over eat. It takes an additional ten to fifteen minutes before your body begins digesting the food and that's when you will experience the feeling of fullness. You also feel extra hungry right after your workout and that's when you need to be careful not to overeat. Your body's receptors are wide open to receive new fuel right after your workout is finished and it's very important to eat a well balanced meal with protein, fat and good carbohydrates. Depending on what time of the day this meal takes place as well as on whether you are a man or a woman you have to chose the kind of carbohydrates accordingly.

If it is early in the day, go for a more complex carbohydrate like rice or sweet potatoes for a woman and maybe a baked potato for a man with some veggies as a side but if it is later in the evening, eat only vegetables for carbohydrates, either steamed or fresh cut in a salad. Higher protein diet interesting enough provides women with a lot of energy mainly because women digest protein faster then carbohydrates. Women feel lighter and more energetic on a moderate to high protein diet then on a low protein meal plan. Staying away from high sugar meals is wise since the sugar only gives you a false feeling of high energy while you are still on the sugar high that eating refined sugar gives you. Once the sugar is no longer directly in your system, your energy level drops drastically and you will feel sleepy.

Rule of thumb is to be consistent with your meal schedule every day. Once your body got use to eating every three hours, your energy will stay on top and your hunger level will feel satisfied all day. Being on a consistent meal is only hard if you ever get off it for any reason. Breaking your set eating habits definitely effect your energy levels and your ability to function in your every day life.

If you have a mentally demanding job you will need to take that into consideration when planning your diet since your brain feeds from carbohydrates. Include food for your brain in calculating how many carbohydrates you would need a day to be able to perform your tasks.