Home > Food > The Best Energy Boosting Foods

When you’ve experienced monumental sugar crashes that result in meltdowns, you know it’s a bad idea to give kids too many sugary treats – especially when they’re tired!
But why don’t we apply the same rule to ourselves?

Why Do I Crave Sugar When I’m Tired?

Cravings for chocolate, biscuits or cake usually come during an energy slump or when we feel low and want comfort as they’re an instant and accessible source of energy. And while, in the short term, that can be helpful, if you have too much sugar, your body will experience a huge high that is followed by a low. And this causes you to feel more tired and stressed.   While we’re not suggesting that we all avoid sweet treats entirely! A healthy diet that minimises sugar can really help prevent sugar highs and lows, mood swings and further cravings. Here are some tips that have helped us with regulating our energy levels.

The Best Ways to Regulate Energy Levels

Check Your Iron Levels
Check Your Iron Levels

Low iron levels can often make you feel fatigued, and a lot of women experience this during their period. Most new mums are tired all the time, but if you think there’s more to it than a broken sleep, speak to your doctor and ask them to check your levels. If you already know you have low iron levels, then taking a supplement (especially around your period) can help boost energy levels and fight fatigue.

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Start Your Day the Right Way

Having a bowl of healthy granola or muesli is a great way to start the day, as the seeds and nuts are a great source of omega-3s, and the oats provide a slow release of energy. You can also top it with fresh fruit and a touch of honey if you want an even sweeter bowl.

Make Your Own Muesli
Make Your Own Muesli

When we can be bothered to do it, we never regret making our own muesli. It’s also an activity that toddlers love to help you prep. And it doesn’t create that much mess. It’s so easy to do, and all that’s required is a big mix of your favourite nuts, oats, cinnamon, and coconut oil. And then any extras once it’s baked, like dried cranberries, desiccated coconut and a drizzle of honey.

Recipe
The One to Buy...
The One to Buy…

Not all granolas and mueslis are good for you, and many shop-bought packets contain a heavy dosage of sugary dried fruit. So, try to seek out the ones that are nut-based instead of fruit. On the days when you’d prefer someone else to do the prep, the best homemade muesli we’ve found is by Lakeland Mues, who toast all their muesli by hand in their Cumbrian countryside kitchen.

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Sip a Wide-Awake Smoothie

Rich in Vitamin C and fibre, this is an excellent drink to pair with iron-rich foods as Vitamin C aids absorption, while walnuts and avocado deliver protein and healthy fats to balance things out. The oats and nuts also slow down the absorption of sugar from the fruit, and cinnamon is known to reduce sugar cravings.

Ingredients...
Ingredients…

1 Mango
¼ Avocado
1 Tablespoon of Oats
6 Walnuts
250ml of your chosen milk

Meals That Balance Your Energy Levels

Mediterranean Baked Salmon
Mediterranean Baked Salmon

Salmon is a rich source of multiple B vitamins, which play essential roles in releasing and transferring energy between cells in the body. It’s also good for brain function, which is helpful if you have the post-birth fuzz.

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Iron-Rich Steak Salad
Iron-Rich Steak Salad

Swap sluggish baguettes for this delicious salad with juicy steak strips rich in protein, iron, vitamins, and flavour.

Recipe

Make This Energy Boosting Snack

Walnut Blueberry Energy Bites
Walnut Blueberry Energy Bites

Plant-based walnut blueberry energy bites are the perfect snack to keep on hand. They’re filled with healthy fats and fibre to fuel you throughout your day.

Recipe
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