A low calorie, energy boosting diet is not hard to find--it's as close as your garden in the backyard or as near as the produce section at the supermarket. Fruits and vegetables are the ideal low calorie, top-of-the-line energy producing foods on the planet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been telling us for a long time to eat more fruits and vegetables. Now you have an excuse: Here are some low calorie food options that are packed with nutrition and will kick your zeal into high gear.
Fruits
The benefits of fruits are numerous. First, they are full of water; dehydration can leave us feeling tired and weak. Drink plenty of water, sure, but don't forget fruits that are high in water content: watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes, for example. Second, the bright colors in fruit--the blue in blueberries and the red in strawberries--give them extremely powerful antioxidant protection, boosting your immune system and your energy levels. Bananas have long been a great energy booster; low in calories and high in simple and complex carbohydrates, they are a quick source of sustainable energy.
Vegetables
Vegetables are another wonderful way to boost energy levels with few calories. Juicing kale, spinach and romaine lettuce makes a green drink that cleanses the body and hikes up the verve in your day. Add a lemon and an apple to the mix to help cut the strong "green" taste. Or try a salad, veggie sticks with guacamole or a warm broccoli or tomato soup. Here are some numbers to help you out: 1 cup of romaine lettuce contains 9 calories, and one large carrot has only 30 calories. Yet they're packed with enough nutrition inspire vitality.
Whole Grains
Whole grain cereals such as wheat bran or oatmeal are low calorie foods with enough complex carbohydrate to help sustain energy throughout the day. Add some skim milk or soy milk to boost the vitamin intake without adding much to the caloric intake. According to DietBites.com, a regular slice of whole wheat bread contains 69 calories.
Building a Low Calorie Energy Boosting Diet
To put together a diet high in energy and low in calories, use Natalia Rose's approach: "Forget all the raw, vegan and vegetarian dogma." Rose, an author and certified clinical nutritionist, suggests that simple foods in simple combinations are best for cleansing, regenerating and boosting energy. Build meals around fruits and vegetables instead of meats or dairy products, both of which are high in calories and tend to drain the body of energy as they are digested.
The Ultimate Energy Boost - With Few Calories
Super foods are a great way to kick up your energy level with few calories. Green tea, with zero calories, is known to boost energy levels and mental alertness and stimulate weight loss. Goji berries are another super food, with only 90 calories in ¼ cup. Most raw super foods, such as wheat grass and spirulina, are nutrient-dense and low in calories.
Member Comments