High energy food instead of artificial stimulants

If you're like most folks, you have days when your energy is just ... well ... not there. Most people grab a shot of caffeine or an energy drink. But there are much better - and safer - ways to get more of that precious commodity: energy. Most of us don't realize that the genuine energy-boosters are fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and whole grains. As a matter of fact, veggies and fruits contain vitamins and minerals that conquer fatigue-causing toxins. Food energy is not only healthier for us but more effective than caffeine, chocolate, and other stimulants. Here are some energy food recommendations.
HERBS, SPICES & CONDIMENTS
1. Oregano:
Commonly used in Italian dishes, including everyone's favorite, pizza, oregano is rich in nutrients including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, boron, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin A, and niacin. Oregano is an herb with lots of antioxidants, meaning it fights the deadly free radicals that damage the human body. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it traditionally has been used to support joint function. It also has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties, and is a popular choice in combating candida (yeast infection).
2. Tumeric:
Tumeric is a spice much used in India and perhaps not familiar to many westerners. It's pretty much a "super-spice", not only for its impressive list of health benefits, but also for the taste. It's a potent anti-inflammatory, known for alleviating arthritis and joint inflammation - and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Even better, there are at least 30 published studies proving that the active compound in turmeric, "curcumin", has an antitumor effect. Curcumin also has a positive effect on cholesterol and has potent antioxidant properties. Curcumin is a very liver-friendly food, making it knockout medicine for folks with varying liver complaints, including hepatitis.
3. Garlic:
Garlic is familiar to everyone and has historically been recognized for thousands of years for its many taste and health benefits. Garlic is recognized even by conventional, traditional medicine as an agent for bringing down cholesterol. It also aids in bringing down triglycerides, gets rid of plaque, and prevents blood clots. Garlic also is a cancer fighter and can even help battle the common cold. And new research demonstrates that garlic might be a weapon for weight control! The reason for the stunning collection of health benefits of garlic is a compound called allicin, which results when garlic is crushed. Allicin starts to degrade after it is produced, so the fresher, the better. Garlic experts advise crushing a small amount of raw garlic and combining it with your meal shortly before eating. Note: using the microwave destroys the benefits - sorry.
4. Ginger:
Within Ayurveda, the many-thousand years old medical specialty from India, ginger is known as the "universal remedy." This small plant carries a whole pharmacy of ingredients with health benefits. Many people already know of ginger's astounding power to comfort a nauseated stomach and shut down nausea. Ginger helps pregnant women who are combating morning sickness, and by energizing saliva, it may also help digestion.
5. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon contains phytochemicals called "chalcone polymers" that step-up glucose metabolism in the cells, so giving cinnamon an a phenomenal power to moderate blood sugar. Also, cinnamon contains "anthocyanins", which ameliorate capillary functions, as well as phytochemicals which help to fight candida, the proliferation of yeast in the system. Cinnamon is also excellent for digestive problems and it just might reduce blood pressure, establishing it as the perfect anti-aging spice.
BEANS & LEGUMES
Edible beans are one of the best sources of fiber on the planet. Almost none of us get nearly enough roughage. Fiber protects us in ways that we don't totally understand, but we do know that high-roughage foods reduces our chances of contracting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It's undoubtedly true that a cup of just about any kind of cooked beans will offer up anywhere from 11 to 17 grams of fiber. That's absolutely astounding!
Just one serving of cooked beans each day will lower your overall cholesterol by up to 10% in only six weeks.
Beans are a truly superior low-glycemic food, since their high roughage content means they raise blood sugar slowly or not at all, which is a huge advantage for athletic endurance. To make them even more desirable, beans are bursting with much needed antioxidants and are a good source of protein, typically offering 15 grams per cup.
1. Lentils:
Lentils are humble, disk-shaped green, brownish green or brick red legumes which are native to Asia and grow on an annual bush-like plant. These little energy dynamos are harvested and preserved as soon as they ripen.
There are at least 50 varieties, and they're different from beans in that they contain no sulfur and therefore don't produce gas (a real boon to many digestive systems!) Lentils are filled with roughage or fiber - 16 grams per cup - so they help to reduce cholesterol and control blood sugar. A single cup of lentils contains about 18 grams of protein. A special benefit: unlike beans, lentils need no presoaking and can be ready to eat in 20-30 minutes.
2. Garbanzo Beans:
Garbanzos, or chickpeas, are in the same class of food called pulses or legumes, which also includes peas, lentils [green, red and brown] and beans. Consuming increased amounts of legumes will scale down the risk of coronary heart disease due to their elevated fiber content. Roughage can also lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the amount of sugar in the blood, a consideration which is hugely essential both for people with diabetes and for those with blood sugar challenges (metabolic syndrome). Chickpeas have calcium and magnesium in a 1:1 ratio, an important amount of folate, and a ton of heart-healthy potassium (477 grams per cup!). These terrific beans even contain the knockout antioxidant selenium. All this, plus the vegetable equivalent of two ounces of protein.
3. Green Peas:
There are approximately 1,000 varieties of garden peas, the most common of which are the smooth peas that we usually find in the grocery store freezer. Peas are a little high in sugar compared to other legumes, but the sugar is balanced by the delightful fact that about ½ cup of cooked peas has 5.5 grams of roughage. Dried peas don't hold their shape as well as the fresh (or frozen) peas, and their taste is a bit more earthy than the sweeter fresh ones. Green peas are best used in soups, purees and other dishes that demand a small amount of thickening.
WHOLE GRAINS
1. Quinoa: The Grain Of The Aztecs
The quinoa cereal grain is an exceedingly nutritious food that's technically a seed, but tastes like a grain. It's not only delicious but also provides a good deal of excellent protein. The protein quality and quantity in quinoa seed is usually superior to that of better known grains, and the nutritive value of this little known grain is comparable to that of dried whole milk. Quinoa is as easy to use as rice and can be used in almost any recipe that involves the better known grain. Quinoa has a tiny amount of sodium and offers us more calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, iron, and zinc than more everyday grains like barley, wheat and corn.
2. Whole Grain Oats
An envelope of instant oatmeal, loaded with preservatives and artificial flavors, will never offer the health benefits of "real" oatmeal that hasn't been processed.
Whole grain oats are a superior source of fiber and also offer a nice mix of both the two kinds of roughage - insoluble & soluble. Oatmeal has an extremely low glycemic effect on the body, meaning that this awesome grain has a very, very modest effect on our blood sugar. If you include a little fat like walnuts and a modest amount of protein (like one egg), you will be energetic and satisfied for hours.
So find your energy in food, rather than artificial stimulants. With so many choices of whole grains, lentils and beans and several spices, there are choices to suit every diet and every taste.