Monday, May 3, 2010

"Power on your Plate"

i.ehow.com

Want to jump start your mornings? Looking to add a little perk to your afternoons?

Wishing you could a little pick-me-up when you need that extra energy?

No , I am not talking about energy boosters, coffee, candy, or anything which claims it can give you any sort of wings. While these products might give you a boost after being consumed, the results are short-term and often come with some kind of side-effects (irritability, insomnia, an upset stomach, weight gain for starters). Why, you ask? The answer is simple: You are what you eat.


All the food we put into our body is converted and used as energy. Imagine that your body is a car with an engine. Just like any other engine, it needs fuel to keep it running. Now if you buy cheap, adulterated oil and fill that engine, your car may work for a little while, but theres a breakdown just waiting to happen. But, if you are careful about the kind of oil you put in that engine, your car will run for miles and miles and miles. And where do we get the best forms of energy? Through foods that contain proteins and carbohydrates. What I am talking about here are healthy, good-for-you, natural foods which have the power to unlock a whole lot of energy for your body.

Carbohydrates are sugars, starches and fiber. There are two groups of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are found in many cereals, snack foods, soft drinks, crackers, breads and even pasta. These food items are processed by the body quickly which means you will have a boost of energy soon after eating, but this boost is only temporary, and often leaves you feeling tired and exhausted.

Proteins and complex carbohydrates take longer for the body to break down. Complex carbs are things such as bran, whole grain wheat, lentils, peas, and beans. These food items take longer to break down so the body doesn’t experience spikes in energy instead it has a gradual release of energy. This is the quality stuff I am talking about.


Proteins are found in meats, eggs and nuts. Like complex carbohydrates, proteins take longer for the body to break down. Because of this, you will have energy for a longer period of time and not become hungry as quickly.Physical energy is not the only thing that will benefit from eating complex carbs and proteins. Some foods can even work to improve the function of the brain!

And just to get your engines started, here are some foods which will make you go vroooomm all through the day!



Spinach

Beans

Fish

Chicken

Cereal

Poha

Upma

Wholewheat rotis/bread

Wholegrain Pasta

Bananas

Nuts

Eggs

Low-fat dairy products

Oatmeal

Orange Juice

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