Your body's preferred energy source is glucose, which breaks down into ATP, a usable form of energy. Glucose is a sugar molecule in all carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Therefore, carbohydrates are the best foods to eat for energy.
But not all carbohydrates.
The Best and Worst Foods to Eat For Energy
Thanks to food processing, we can eat carbohydrates in so many different forms. We can eat them in whole grains such as rye or brown rice or muffins, pasta, pastries, candy, cookies, and bagels made from white flour. But have you ever felt a slow, steady supply of energy all day long after eating pastries?
Coffee is among the most popular morning and mid-afternoon pick-me-ups. But what if there was a more efficient way to get your energy levels back up when you hit a slump?
I don't believe there's anything wrong with a cup of fair trade organic coffee occasionally. High-quality organic coffee can actually provide the body with
The coffee or sugar-inducing energy spikes and crashes put you on a highs and lows roller coaster. In general, stimulants such as coffee are unsustainable sources of energy. They give you a quick energy buzz (usually 1-3 hours) by spiking your blood sugar levels. But as the coffee or sugar wears off and blood sugar levels drop, the buzz wears off. This is where you'll either reach for something sugary, another cup of coffee, or an energy drink or curl up on the couch to nap. (You get irritable or moody at this time, too!)
Aside from energy spikes and crashes, constant stimulants can negatively impact your adrenal glands (the glands above your kidneys responsible for controlling your body's stress response). When your adrenal glands are taxed, your body has a harder time dealing with stress, and you can feel constantly fatigued. The exhaustion can create a false illusion of needing more caffeine or sugar to increase your energy levels.
As you can see, the nutritionally sound option for adding extra energy to your day is not in the form of stimulants that create a dependency, such as coffee or sugar. Instead, plant foods are the first thing nutritionists recommend to get your energy levels to soar.
The most important thing to consider when eating carbohydrates for energy is whether or not they've been processed. White flour and sugar have been so heavily processed that they no longer contain abundant vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fiber is an important nutrient to carbohydrates because it slows down the release of their glucose into the bloodstream. Without fiber, carbohydrates digest very quickly and rapidly raise blood sugar levels. Much like coffee, this results in an even quicker energy spike and crash.
This is why pastries, white pasta, cookies, muffins, pop, and other baked goods are not considered good food for energy. Without their fiber, refined carbohydrates create the infamous energy spike and crash- not to mention they wreak havoc on your gut, strip your body of nutrients, and trigger fat storage.
So, what does this leave us with? The best foods to eat for energy are real, whole plant-based foods that contain fiber. Fruits and vegetables are two of the best foods to eat for energy that lasts all day. Vegetables are naturally lower in sugar, but pairing fruit (more concentrated in sugar) with a healthy fat or protein will help slow the release of sugar into your bloodstream and provide a steady energy supply. This means that a green smoothie blended with avocado would give you a lasting energy boost, like a banana, bowl of berries, or an apple with a handful of almonds.
Aside from fruits and vegetables, there's another amazing green superfood that can provide your body with plenty of
Chlorella is a
In addition to these nutrients, chlorella is one of the only plant sources to contain an active form of vitamin B12. Those deficient in B12 (most commonly vegetarians and vegans) can notice an improvement in their energy levels by consuming B12 from chlorella.
So, what better way to increase your energy levels (and health and wellness) naturally than by combining
Chlorella Cacao Energy Balls
The chlorella cacao no-bake energy bites also contain coconut oil as a healthy fat source. Pairing natural sugar sources (such as dates, maple syrup, and shredded coconut) with healthy fat will help slow the release of sugar into your bloodstream so that you receive slow-releasing energy rather than a quick burst. Cacao can also have a stimulating effect, which is reduced when paired with healthy fats such as coconut oil.
Ingredients
15
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional for extra to roll the balls in)
1 cup raw cacao powder
1 tsp (3g) Sun Chlorella Powder
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp melted coconut oil
A pinch of sea salt
Directions
1. Soak dates in room temperature water for 15 minutes before softening the recipe.
2. Place dates, coconut oil, and coconut in a food processor or Vitamix blender and process until a smooth, sticky "batter” forms.
3. Blend in maple syrup and vanilla extract.
4. Add cacao powder and sea salt and blend until thoroughly combined.
5. Mix in Sun Chlorella Powder. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Scoop out the mixture with a spoonful, and roll it into medium-sized balls with clean hands. Place balls on parchment paper and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours. Optional to keep refrigerated or store in the freezer.
Eat any time you need energy or want to provide your body with optimal nutrition!
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No Bake Energy Bites With Chlorella