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Want More Energy? Avoid Sugar!

Feeling a bit sluggish? Anxious? Depressed? Before you reach for that candy bar or sweet roll as “comfort food,” you’d better read this!

While sugar may give you the quick “jolt” of energy you need and make you feel better initially, it’s followed by an equally quick “letdown.” Eating sugar causes erratic swings in your blood sugar levels which affect your moods and your energy levels. Many people experience continuous rapid fluctuations as they eat even more sugar to “bounce back” from the lows!

The holidays offer prime opportunities for increased sugar consumption. So… before eating another piece of chocolate, another cookie, or another piece of cake… consider these alternatives that give you energy and boost your mood – especially important during this time of the year.

• Drink lots of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces/millilitres per day) to avoid dehydration and combat fatigue.

• Eat foods that are rich in Omega-3 fats (e.g., salmon, walnuts and olive oil) that boost your mood naturally!

• Consider eating a banana or drinking a banana smoothie made with a banana, ice and skim milk. Bananas and green, leafy vegetables help to release more dopamine in the brain, a chemical that has “feel good” effects on mood.

• Try to eat 4-5 meals per day to keep blood sugar levels steady and provide the energy you need to keep you going throughout the day.

• Drink a soothing cup of black tea to calm stress and help you relax.

• Increase the amount of protein in your diet to help you stay alert. Try a grilled chicken sandwich or some black bean soup for lunch to supply the energy to stay focused through the usually “sluggish” afternoon hours.

• Eat an apple or another type of fruit that contains natural sugar, is easily digested, and provides vital nutrition to keep your engine running!

• Don’t skip breakfast. You’ve heard it many times and it’s true – breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It gives you the fuel you need to get going after the long period of fasting while you’re asleep.

• Eat whole grains found in bread, brown rice, and sugar-free cereals. Whole grains are loaded with essential amino acids that the body isn’t able to produce on its own. Amino acids are vital to the brain because they produce neurotransmitters, which are necessary for proper nervous system function. Whole grains also digest slowly, keeping blood sugar and energy levels balanced throughout the day.

Of course chiropractic care can also help to keep your nervous system running at peak performance, especially important at this time of the year when you’re under some added stress! So make sure you schedule us in too, along with all your other holiday plans!