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Energy
Food
3 Tips to Eat Right for Energy
by
Dana Sullivaen for Consumer Health Interactive
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Have
you ever noticed that some days you breeze through a work
out, yet on others can barely lift a leg? If the answer
is yes, don't just blame general tiredness, your diet may
well be key in bringing performance down. Follow these 3
tips of what to eat before a workout.
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1.
What's wrong with skipping breakfast (or any other meal)
if I'm not hungry?
When you wake up in the morning you've probably gone about
11 hours without eating, and since your body uses calories
as fuel, you'll need to refill your tank right away. While
it's tough for your body to get going when you're running
on empty, skipping breakfast is even harder on your brain.
Most of the cells in your body can store energy up for lean
times, but your brain cells need a constant supply of carbohydrates
to function, and your reserves are certain to be low after
an all-night fast. Lunch and dinner are just as important.
Without food in your system, stress hormones will kick in
to keep you going but at a high cost--you'll be exhausted
later. And when you make a habit of missing meals, your
body starts conserving calories and your metabolism slows
down. Not surprisingly, you end up feeling sluggish.
2.
Why do I feel sleepy after a big lunch?
Large meals force your body to use precious energy stores
for the huge task of digestion. Blood rushes to your gut,
robbing the rest of your body of oxygen and nutrients. Afterwards,
you may not feel like eating again for several hours. If
you wait too long for dinner, you're more likely to overeat
again. Soon you're stuck in a cycle of feast or famine in
which your cells, like your body, are always either overloaded
or starving, leaving you constantly fatigued. Eating smaller,
more frequent meals can keep your digestive system humming
along steadily and your energy level consistent.
3.
What kind of snack is best for a quick boost?
Eat snacks that contain members of different food groups.
Pretzels and crackers may be convenient, low-fat snacks,
but they won't get you very far when you're feeling poky.
These processed carbohydrates are broken down almost instantly,
giving you the same brief blood sugar spike that candy does.
Fiber, protein, and fat take longer to digest, evening out
your metabolism and protecting you from those energy highs
and lows. Nuts have all three; they're the perfect mini-meal.
Fruit and yogurt are other good choices. Also try adding
a slice of cheese to a whole-wheat cracker or dipping a
carrot stick in peanut butter.
Try
to stay away from coffee and candy, though. Neither one
will give you sustained energy. Caffeine stimulates your
nervous system, but it doesn't contain calories, which are
your body's fuel. And sugar breaks down quickly in your
system, giving you only a brief pick-me-up.
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