Natural Energy Boost with Food

Energy can be hard to come by when you lead a busy lifestyle, and moms are by the far the busiest people on the planet. So, when time is short and life is demanding how do you get an energy boost with what you eat and what you drink? There are some simple ways to keep your spirits up and your metabolism high so you can manage your day every day.

Foods that can spur you along are great to have on hand, and one of my favorites is seaweed. You can get the roasted, lightly salted think sheets of seaweed in a package because they aren't messy and travel well. The thyroid loves iodine and the thyroid is what controls your metabolism, so try it and see what you think. You can pack it away in your purse or diaper bag and no one will ever know.

Seaweed isn't very filling, so moving on to the more substantial foods, you want to go for the protein for energy. Research has shown that you can get just as much protein from plants as you do animal sources, and meat is hard to travel with. Perhaps this is why the 800 pound gorilla survives so well on his own with no meat? Broccoli is a great green vegetable that is packed with vitamins and minerals and protein, and help you carry through your day just fine. It can be steamed or eaten raw which is best so it travels really well.

Baked potatoes are good too, and while they are carbohydrates they do give us an energy boost somewhat. The challenge with a potato is finding the right balance. Carb lovers tend to eat a lot of potatoes which can in turn have a negative effect on our bodies and our weight in general. It's all about moderation, but try to stick with plants that are high in protein and you will be able to last longer throughout your day.

Soymilk is also rich in protein and if you aren't able to keep your soymilk cold you can certainly travel with soy nuts in a plastic baggie. They are tasty and quite addictive, but they contain less fat than most other nuts. These are a great choice and your kids will love them too because they have just enough crunch, and they are small so they are easy for little ones to eat.

Don't forget that diet is what helps you get through the day, and food is fuel. We should remember to not live to eat, but eat to live!

Leonid Macheret M.D.

Partners in Wellness

Fairfield, Ohio