Last Friday’s blog was supposed to be about energizing foods, but I didn’t have the energy to write it! It was one of those weeks. Work was crazy busy, my husband was out of town for a couple days, and my 13 year-old daughter first had (minor) hand surgery followed by an awful 4-day stomach bug ….Ah, the joys of a working mom!
In the midst of the chaos, I fell into my old pattern of relying on caffeine and sugar to propel me through the day’s and night’s demands. And while my “drugs of choice” did give me the immediate energy boost I was looking for, the spike was quickly followed by a blood sugar crash leaving me with a slight headache, nauseous stomach and a craving for more caffeine and sugar. And so the cycle went.
Fast forward, it’s a new week. Work feels manageable at 8:00 a.m. Monday. The sun is shining. My daughter’s hand and GI-tract are on the mend. Before things start to unravel, these quick reminders are as much for me as for any of you readers!
Simple Tips for Maintaining Energy Throughout the Day
- Choose foods that keep your blood sugar on an even keel (high quality, nutrient dense complex carbs like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables)
- Avoid foods that cause your blood sugar to spike and crash (sugar, simple carbs, caffeine)
- Include a variety of foods in each meal or snack. You’ll get immediate energy from carbs and a slow, steady supply of energy from lean proteins and healthy fats.
- Don’t skip a meal, especially breakfast. Eat more frequent, smaller meals interspersed with healthy snacks.
- Drink plenty of water. One of the first effects of dehydration is fatigue. If you are feeling sluggish, head to the water cooler before the coffee pot
- Move. If you don’t have time for a full workout, that’s ok. Take a 10 minute walk around the block. Stretch at your desk. Take the stairs. Park further from the entrance. Etc. Etc. Just move.
I am off to make some oatmeal and will forgo my 2nd cup of joe for a tall, cold glass of H2O….Here’s to a great week!
p.s. If you are interested in reading more, here’s a helpful article from WebMd on fatigue fighting foods.