What Kinds of Food Should I Eat On an Energy Diet?

If you are eager to use your diet to increase your energy level, focus on foods that improve your digestion and blood count. Fatty foods that cause sluggish digestion delay the body's absorption and distribution of important nutrients, as does a low red blood cell count. Fatigue, slow metabolism and low energy can result. Turn your health around by eating low-fat types of food that contain the protein, iron and B vitamins needed to promote red blood cell production.

Protein Foods

Low-fat protein foods not only keep your digestive system moving but also keep your arteries clear of fatty plaque buildup that obstructs the bloodstream, your body's energy superhighway. These foods contain protein, iron and vitamin B with less saturated fat. According to the American Heart Association, superior kinds of protein foods include fish, lean meats and poultry minus their fat and skin, eggs and dried beans and peas.

Dairy Foods

You still need to focus on broad nutrition while on an energy-focused diet, including the calcium, potassium and vitamin D in dairy products. Milk, cheese and yogurt also contain protein and B vitamins for healthy blood cell formation, with little to no fat in 1-percent and non-fat varieties to slow your digestion and your metabolism down.

Grain Foods

Grain foods support healthy blood and better energy by delivering protein, iron and vitamin B in low-fat packages. For greater nutrition per calorie, the USDA suggests eating whole-grain foods at least as often as refined-grain products. Higher fiber content promotes healthy digestion. Oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, popcorn, brown rice, whole-wheat bread are nutritious kinds of grain foods.

Vegetables

Especially if you are overweight, a large proportion of vegetables in your diet can positively affect your energy level. The low calories and high nutrition of many vegetables assist in weight control, with some kinds of vegetables, such as cooked leafy greens, providing significant protein, iron and B vitamins and very low fat.

Fruits

Because added sugars and caffeine create a metabolic crash after their initial boosts, these food elements aren't beneficial to an energy diet. You can satisfy your sweet tooth with the natural sugar in fruits, which also contain fiber to improve digestive quality. Some dried fruits, such as raisins, have strong iron contents, but you should include fruits in any diet for their important vitamin C contributions.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Lochridge Last updated on: Jun 9, 2011

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