Stop Saying, "I'm so tired."

Can we all agree that we are tired of hearing how bad sugar is for us?

Instead let’s talk about the big picture.

What we really want is strong, consistent, focused energy all day long.

To have that, we need to look at all the substances we are using to prop up our energy and keep us going.

Coffee. Energy drinks. Energy bars. Protein powders. And yes, sugar.

We use them for energy but we also use them as a block or temporary escape from anxiety, decision fatigue, and bad news.

The combination of sugar and fat (like milk fat in energy bars, or a frappuccino) puts the reward center in our brain on high alert and delivers a soothing hit of endorphins that numb out discomfort. So of course we learn to use these foods to self-soothe and pick ourselves up.

But anything that goes up must come down. 

And the price for a false energy high is a big one. 

Adrenal fatigue, irritability, blood pressure, diabetes, and a hefty waist line, just to name a few.

So instead, let’s work from the point of greatest power and add in the foods that will give us the most energy bang-for-your-buck without any down side at all. Here are three to get you started.

1) Clean Protein. 

Our bodies cannot survive without protein, fat, and water. Your body doesn’t need the sweets to produce glucose for energy, it can create glucose on it’s own from stored fat through the process of gluconeogenesis and ketosis. 

So clean protein is your number one source of solid lasting energy. Add it in, and you’ll notice that the sweet cravings don’t come around nearly as often, and you’ll feel more calm and centered during the day.

By clean, I mean this;

If it’s from an animal, preferably that animal was pasture-raised, fed a natural diet, and humanely treated. More on the importance of this later.

If you’re getting protein from plants, it needs to be non-GMO, or free from genetic modification and preferably organic. Which means that soy is out. That includes tofu. Instead, I prefer Hemp Seed, Chia Seed, Nuts, Black Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas, and Green Peas. 

2) Squashes and Roots.

How efficiently you digest is how efficiently your body will function.  

Three stages are particularly important; How well your body is breaking down food in your stomach, how well your body is absorbing nutrients through your small intestine, and how efficiently your body is excreting waste. 

So let’s start with that last part, as that’s usually when people contact me for help. Constipation is not only uncomfortable, but it leaves your body reabsorbing the same toxins it just tried to get out. 

To help this along and bring relief, we need fiber. For someone who has been on a blood sugar rollercoaster for a long time and is insulin resistant, Dr. Josh Axe recommends 50g of fiber per day. The average American gets 15g. So there’s quite a bit of work to be done.

One of the cleanest sources of fiber that won’t take your blood sugar high, can be found in root vegetables and squashes like sweet potatoes, beets, acorn squash, spaghetti squash and butternut squash. Beans also provide a great source of fiber, so including those as your protein source can give you a double benefit. 

Sweet potatoes, root veggies, and squashes will help curb your sweet cravings by giving you a slow and steady stream of glucose, leaving you feeling full and satisfied longer. 

3) Fats.

We can’t talk about energy boosting foods without discussing fats, because they are essential to long-lasting clean energy. 

But like anything, you can overdo it. 

Many times I find clients are eating plenty of animal fats, and as a result dealing with a liver that is overloaded. Especially with paleo and keto diets at their peak, it’s easy to see that some people just can’t process that much fat. 

Instead I prefer to stick to plant based fats, and in moderation. I consistently cook meats and vegetables with Avocado Oil and Coconut Oil, and use Olive Oil or Flaxseed Oil on my salads with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. I like Almond Butter on a slice of sweet potato for breakfast or with an apple for a snack. 

I find this to be a sufficient amount of fat in my diet without having to think about it. Usually a few tablespoons through the day is enough. 

When I don’t get it in, I notice I feel hungry much more often and end up overeating at night. I also experience brain fog and difficulty focusing. 

Eating out is a challenge where canola, corn, or peanut oil can make me feel bloated and nauseous. 

Making a few swaps to your cooking practices and packing your own lunches can be all you need to get the right amount of fats in your diet to see a solid boost of energy, and to stop cravings through the day. 

I WISH I’d known to start with these three foods when I first began my journey out of digestive distress and mood swings 10 years ago. Making these changes will jumpstart your energy, giving you the motivation to make other positive changes without feeling deprived or discouraged.

And if you’re anything like me, having the power to control your energy levels through your meals feels mighty liberating.