Energy Boosting

Have you ever had one of those days when you literally have to drag yourself out of bed, still exhausted even after a good night's sleep, and you just need to have that cup of steaming black coffee or you might not even have enough energy to walk out the front door?

This is the epitome of burnout and one way to combat this seemingly profound feeling is to arm yourself with energy boosting diets. Sounds complex? Not really. These diets, in essence, are just balanced meals designed to boost and maintain energy levels throughout the day. Here are a few dos and don'ts when it comes to keeping your energy levels up to par:

• Eat the right combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fat at regular intervals. Intersperse these with healthy snacks to keep energy levels from fluctuating. Never skip meals.

• Avoid foods that are high in refined carbohydrates. These are digested rapidly by the body and would cause blood sugar levels to shoot up and crash down, leading the body's energy levels to go haywire.

• Double up on your protein, instead of overdoing your carbs for energy. Protein actually increases mental alertness and energy levels and it increases satiety, too. This leaves you feeling full longer, giving you more reason to stray away from sweets and other quick fixes.

• Too much fatty or fried food in your diet can cause your body to become sluggish. The fresher the food, the better. Go for natural unprocessed foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Although coffee may be the beverage of choice to jump-start one's day, drinking too much coffee, however, can over stimulate the body and may lead to burn out. Caffeine can also be addictive so if you have been having more than your fair share of java, then you may want to cut back on that gradually, a cup less per day, perhaps.

• Alcohol and smoking? A big no-no. These do more harm than good to the body so what's the point in even indulging in them in the first place?

• Drink water - lots of it. Six to ten glasses a day are just the bare minimum. The need to drink water cannot be emphasized enough. Our bodies need to be constantly hydrated. Even the slightest sign of dehydration can already lead to fatigue.

• Lastly, have a daily dose of multivitamins. People who are under stress need more of the vitamins from the B-group. This group keeps the nerves and the brain in tiptop shape.

For more great information on exercise and nutrition, check out this Bodybuilding Blog.

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By John O'Riley