Choosing Energy Foods That are Healthy And Give You a Boost

The modern American diet is, to put it mildly, significantly less healthy than it was in days past, when nearby farms provided the bulk of the produce and dairy for a given geographic region and agribusiness was yet to exist. Add fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyles to the development of food production processes that leave a lot to be desired in the realm of healthiness and you've got a recipe for disaster. It's no wonder then that the market is flooded with energy drinks and supplements that are touted by world-famous athletes and anxiously purchased by the chronically exhausted. Such products are, in short, evidence of the market capitalizing on the carbohydrate-rich, energy depleting diets of the average American.

While those energy drinks and supplements may well work to produce true, lasting energy and mental acuity, the fact remains that there are a wealth of "energy foods" that are both healthy and that lead naturally to sustained energy throughout the day. Understanding some very basic facts about how food is digested, how it is turned into energy, and what certain foods contain that can contribute to sustained energy can go a long way in overcoming a lack of energy that is potentially caused by poor eating habits. With that, here is a list of certain foods that can help with boosting energy, as well as some notes about what can be found in these foods that can contribute to your health:

Nuts and Peanut Butter

Almonds are often touted as one of the best foods for sustained energy and health, but for those that don't like them (or other similar nuts), peanut butter is a good substitute. There is a good amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in peanut butter and nuts in general, and these "good" fats lead to improved stability in insulin and glucose levels. Moderating insulin and glucose levels is a key in daylong, sustained energy. In addition to being a source of good fats, nuts also contain fiber, which prevents fat and cholesterol from entering the bloodstream.

Watermelon

Tomatoes have been widely touted as being a good source of lycopene, which aids in combating prostate cancer in men. Despite that, watermelon is actually much higher in this substance than tomatoes and there is research to suggest that lycopene can also help to fight plaque buildup in the arteries, thus making watermelon an excellent food for heart health. In addition, watermelon is a good source of natural energy.

Whole Grain and High Fiber Cereals

Whole grain cereals, as opposed to the sugary cereals that contain highly-refined grains, add energy without a great deal of sugar, which helps to stabilize blood glucose levels and keep energy sustained throughout the day. In addition, the fiber in the cereal, as previously mentioned, helps to block fat and cholesterol from entering the blood stream. Another benefit to high-fiber cereals is that a relatively small serving can make one feel full for hours, thus helping to curb the appetites of those also trying to lose weight fast.

Apples

Apples contain quercetin, which is one of the prime ingredients in some of the popular energy drinks and supplements on the market today. That element is found in the skin of the apple, which is also a good source of fiber, so make sure to eat the whole apple. The pectin in the apple skin is a type of fiber that is particularly effective in lowering cholesterol and moderating blood sugar - again, this is a key element in maintaining energy. In addition to that, apples include boron, a mineral that is found in few foods but that is believed to help with mental alertness.

Eggs

As much as people have become wary of eggs for the cholesterol they contain, eggs actually contain another element - phosphatidylcholine - which decreases cholesterol absorption into the bloodstream. As a result, judging the egg by the amount of cholesterol it leads to a faulty analysis. In addition, eggs contain protein, which enters the bloodstream more slowly than carbohydrates and helps to lead to a sustained energy.

Taken as a whole, these foods are some that can help to keep energy levels sustained throughout the day. It is also important to understand that the body metabolizes different foods at different rates. Carbohydrates, for example, enter the bloodstream first and give a very quick boost of energy that is not sustained for very long. Proteins enter the bloodstream later, giving more sustained energy and fat, which should be consumed as part of a healthy diet and preferably in healthy foods, is the last source of energy that the body taps.