Fight Fatigue With These 13 High-Energy Foods

Sluggish? Tired? Missing that get-up-n-go? There’s no question that today’s busy lifestyle can leave the most naturally energetic woman feeling a bit blah any time of day. Instead of reaching for sugary energy bars or high-caffeine beverages, fight fatigue by adding these 13 high-energy foods to your menu plan.

Food plays a bigger role in our energy levels than many people realize. Our bodies are machines made to move, whether that movement involves wrangling toddlers or cleaning for an elderly parent. Unhealthy food choices, especially those with refined sugar, added sodium, and excess fat, don’t nourish the body with the energy it needs to move through even a normal day.

Just like most cars need gasoline to get from point A to point B, your body needs the fuel that comes from food to get from morning to night. Foods for energy deliver a variety of nutrients to fuel cells. For example, tuna offers B vitamins to build red blood cells that then carry necessary oxygen throughout the body. Other energy foods, like fruit or honey, provide natural sugars plus antioxidants to deliver fuel without the empty calories of refined sugar.

1. Honey

This sweet food offers healthier, natural carbohydrates, like fructose and glucose, to pep up those cells.

2. Chia Seeds

Lovely little chia seeds deliver healthy fats, plus they help cleanse the digestive system.

3. Almonds

When you need versatile energy foods, this one’s a winner. Snack on 12-14 whole, unsalted almonds for a snack that comes in at about 100 calories.

4. Fresh Fruit

Low in calories and high in complex (good) carbohydrates, fresh fruit is a natural fit on our foods for energy list.

5. Fresh Vegetables

Eating a variety of vegetables loads your body with energy-boosting nutrients like iron and potassium.

6. Tuna

Tuna, which offers protein and B vitamins, has long been the choice of athletes in need of long-lasting energy foods.

7. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a substance that may increase the rate of fat burn. It also contains some caffeine (but not too much!) to nudge up those energy levels temporarily.

8. Hummus

Made with chickpeas, hummus is a good source of lean protein.

9. Turkey

Not just for Thanksgiving dinner anymore, turkey is a powerhouse of lean protein, plus it helps satisfy the appetite.

10. Greek Yogurt

This variety provides a higher protein content than conventional yogurt for an extra energy boost.

11. Kidney Beans

In addition to protein, kidney beans offer potassium, a mineral that aids muscle function.

12. Salmon

With omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B6, which helps convert food into energy, salmon is one of those energy foods that’s an all-around health superstar.

13. Egg

Begone bad reputation! Eggs are back on the “good” list; they offer the highest complete form of protein of any food.