Eating for Energy
- Contributors to lack of energy:
- Dehydration. Get enough water by drinking a full glass at every meal, and one every time you go to the bathroom.
- Anemia. Too much is as bad as not enough. See your doctor to determine whether you have anemia and how to treat it.
- Skipping breakfast. Skipping meals lowers your metabolism.
- Eating a large lunch. Large meals force your body to use precious energy stores for the huge task of digestion. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to keep your energy level consistent.
- Poor meal composition. A good mix of complex carbs, protein and fat ensures slower digestion with an even distribution of blood sugar levels and a constant supply of energy.
- Severe caloric restriction. Dropping below the calorie level that your body needs to maintain energy stores will result in fatigue. A good rule of thumb is to maintain 10 times your body weight in calories.
- Caffeine dependence. Caffeine works to inject adrenaline into your system to give you a boost, and works on neurotransmitters in the brain that act as pleasure centers. By consuming caffeine throughout the day, you keep your body in a state of emergency. Most experts recommend limiting caffeine consumption to two drinks a day.