Americans are busy people. Whether it’s due to work, family, or having to much fun everyone is busy. To get through our busy days, we need lots of energy. The best way to get seemingly endless energy is by eating a healthy diet. Look over this list of foods that help you have more energy and see which ones you can incorporate into your diet.

Whole Grains for Energy

By including whole grains into your diet, you are getting the full spectrum of nutrients that are key to having plenty of energy. Whole grains are especially loaded with the B vitamins and lots of beneficial fiber that is good for lowering your cholesterol and regulating your digestion. Try:

• Whole wheat
• Barley
• Brown rice
• Corn
• Oats
• Millet
• Quinoa
• Rye

Proteins for Energy

The right proteins can greatly improve your health and energy. These protein sources are high in protein and iron but are still low in saturated fat. They contain all the B vitamins so they will give you more energy but added benefits are improving your cardiovascular health, boosting your brain with choline, helping to prevent blood clots, and protecting against macular degeneration. Add good sources of protein like:

• Fish
• Eggs
• Venison

Healthy Fats for Energy

Good sources for healthy fats that will increase your energy include:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Flalxseed
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Cod
• Halibut
• Olive

These healthy fats not only increase your energy but are anti-inflammatory, rich in omega-3 to protect your bones, and they protect against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Antioxidants

Foods that are high in antioxidants like vitamin C are important to cellular membrane health and improve your overall energy level.

• Chili peppers
• Parsley
• Broccoli
• Bell pepper
• Strawberries
• Oranges
• Lemon juice

Eating these foods will not only increase your energy, but will greatly improve your overall health. Try some of these foods by gradually adding them to your diet. Over time, you will come to like many of them and they will become a main part of your diet.

Jason Ladock

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