Five High Energy Foods to Improve Your Workout

Sports drinks and energy bars are a great tool to working out, but they can also be loaded with artificial products, sugar and caffeine. These things will give you a nice burst of energy, but once your body quickly uses these elements, you're right back to where you started. Below is a list of five natural energy boosting foods that will give you the best benefit for your workout.

1. Almonds

Almonds and other "tree-nuts" are loaded with healthy fats, protein and antioxidants. Almonds can help curb hunger, and are slowly digested in order to provide you with a "slow burn" of energy to keep you going. Almond butter is also a great alternative to the fattier peanut butter, if you're looking for a quick snack.

2. Skim Milk

Skim milk has it all, carbs, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals...all the things your body needs for optimal performance. Studies have also shown that consuming low fat dairy products helps with metabolism and weightloss over the long term. Consume three small servings a day for the most energy benefit.

3. Whole Wheat Bread

You know you need carbohydrates for energy, but going the refined sugar, white flour route will only give you short term effects. Whole wheat bread will give you the carbohydrates you need, but the whole grain component will be used a lot longer by your body and give you more sustained energy than your refined counterparts.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries have the best of everything fruits have to offer because they pack all of the great things you need to sustain energy. Potassium, antioxidants, natural sugars...blueberries give you the best of a quick energy boost, and energy throughout the day. Try to eat a serving of blueberries about an hour before your workout for best results.

5. Water

It's hard to believe that water could be considered a "high energy" food because it's well...just water, but energy slumps often happen because of dehydration. We rely on the short term boosts of caffeine and sugary drinks, not realizing that they can actually enhance fatigue because they dehydrate us. Good old fashioned water keeps you hydrated and prevents fatigue naturally.

As you can see these foods are a simple, easy and affordable alternative for every day versus the energy drinks and food on the fitness market. By incorporating these foods into your diet, you'll be able to feel and workout at your very best.