Do you find yourself in a slump in the middle of the day? Do you crave a nap around the late afternoon? Well, there might be a reason for that, and it’s linked to the food that you eat. There are some foods that sabotage energy levels, forcing you to crash through the day instead of energizing you to push through. If you want to avoid this, then it’s time to avoid these six foods.
6. Candy Bars
Candy bars and chocolate snacks might be an obvious addition to the list of foods that sabotage energy levels, but they should still be noted. Even the fun-sized candy bars can wreck your energy. Like sodas and sweetened drinks like teas, candy bars are loaded with simple sugars that hit your bloodstream fast, which gives you a brief lift, but also creates a steep drop. The best option is to opt for dark chocolate, around 70% or higher, and pair it with a sweet fruit or even nuts.
5. Fried Food
Fried food, as well as fast food, is another one of those foods that sabotage energy levels. While grabbing a quick burger or chicken sandwich from the drive-through is an easy way to get a meal, it does more harm than good. Fried food and fast food are high in fat and low in fiber, which will take your body hours to process. The delay keeps blood flowing to the gut for longer, which diverts it away from the muscles and the brain, resulting in a haze after a meal and making you feel like you want to take a nap.
4. Nighcaps
Nightcaps, like a glass of wine or whiskey, in the evening, are like shaking off a weight on your shoulders. It’s a great way to unwind, but it’s also a hindrance. While alcohol can make you feel drowsy, it also fragments your deep sleep, reducing REM cycles, which are the most restorative phases of sleep. Your body can’t fully get into the rest-and-repair mode, which is why you always feel dull and groggy in the morning after alcohol, even if it’s just a glass or two.
3. Refined Grains
Did you know that refined grains are also one of the foods that sabotage energy levels? That’s right, your favorite items like white bread and pasta are actually doing more damage to your energy levels than you think. Refined grains are stripped of their fiber and bran, making them super fast to digest, which spikes your blood sugar. Once they’re digested, they act a lot like pure sugar in the bloodstream, meaning a fast rise and a fast fall, and then a lingering sensation of fatigue.
2. Low-Calorie Foods
If you’re on a health journey, you might reach for salads full of tomatoes, carrots, onions, and peppers. But the truth is that low-calorie foods often sabotage your energy levels. However, if you include too many of these low-calorie foods in your diet, you might not have enough calories in the day to give you energy. While many believe the fewer calories, the better, it can actually be harmful. It’s best to have enough calories to energize you instead of opting for as few as possible, so you don’t feel sluggish.
1. Breakfast Cereal and Yogurt
Another confusing addition to the list of foods that sabotage energy levels is cereals, yogurts, and any food that includes added sugars. While yogurt is considered an amazing option to have for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner, it can drain your energy levels. But this is because added sugars can spike the blood sugar and insulin levels, leading to a rise in energy, followed by an intense crash, similar to candy bars. Cereal is also known for containing very little fiber, along with added sugar, which makes you crave sugar more, which can lead to an energy-depleting cycle.