Get More Energy From Common Foods

There are a number of foods that you can put on your grocery list regularly that will provide energy and lots of nutrients. Health doesn't have to taste bland.

For starters, I keep a bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar around and take a teaspoonful or two a day for energy in a glass of lemonade or water. You would be surprised at how much energy you get from using this. . I actually found a recipe on the web, for Apple Cider Vinegar Cookies, so look around to see what recipes you can find to make this more palatable.

The advice of, "an apple a day", is the very best. You get a lot of nutrients from apples, including magnesium, of which many people have a deficiency. Really all fruits are great energy foods. They are light and easy to digest so you can get more done, faster.

Spinach, kale, any greens, are great energy boosters and in the right combination, make a great salad. Bok Choy is great as well. These provide lots of calcium and antioxidants, as well as many other nutrients.

Beans and brown or colored rice are some of the best nutritional foods. As a rule, the darker the color; the more nutrients there are in them. These should be eaten 2-3 times a week, or if you prefer, every day.

I love my herbal teas and try to get green tea every week. It is full of antioxidants. Dandelion root tea keeps the water weight off and is an excellent laxative as well. Staying regular can give you energy. Parsley tea is also a great diuretic, but I prefer my fresh parsley in soups and on vegetable or whole-wheat pasta.

Red onions are excellent in everything. They are even great for your blood pressure and your heart. So is garlic, which will ward off nearly everything from the common cold to heart attack and cancer. You can also make garlic tea and garlic cookies. Surprisingly, these are both fairly tasty.

Generally a totally vegetarian diet is the best for optimal health. Dairy can cause allergies and many people are lactose intolerant. Meat is not only hard to digest. I haven't eaten meat or foul since the 1970's. I find that I don't have to use as much deodorant since I quit eating it and I don't feel sleepy or exhausted after regular meals. It is the hardest food to digest and can led to a multitude of problems including heart attack and stroke. And it's filled with hormones. The same hormones that athlete are not allowed using because of the health risks. You can get lots of protein from peanuts, soy and other beans and from green leafy vegetables.

Staying away from salt and sugar is mandatory if you really want energy. Salt and sodium causes water weight gain and sugar can also, but sugar in adults often causes muscle weakness and tiredness.

One last thing, stay away from diet drinks. Yes, artificial sweeteners can cause a chemical reaction in your body that actually may cause weight gain! A recent study at Purdue University found that artificial sweeteners actually confuse the body and can make it harder to burn calories. (Talk about self-defeating!)

Dieting is more hazardous to health than eating right and it also makes you hungry. You can make lots of great sweets from the fruits above and use fruit juices, honey or non-refined sugars to sweeten them. An herb known as "Stevia" is often used today for sweetening pies and cakes. You can buy the extract or brew it yourself and put a few drops in your teas and juices. It's much healthier for you and doesn't cause you weight gain or other problems unless you are allergic and I haven't met a lot of people who are allergic to "Stevia" or other herbs.

With food allergies, a general rule is to try it in small amounts first and give yourself time to notice whether you have any adverse reactions. You can be allergic to almost anything, but as a rule, "natural" is better.

Take care and enjoy your newfound energy and health.