You may find it puzzling that food can actually leave you feeling tired. Energy comes from calories, after all, doesn’t it? Yes — technically speaking calories are indeed a form of energy. However, certain foods and nutrients require more energy for our bodies to break down than they provide, making us feel heavy and sluggish in a short time.
Organic Shoppe is here to help you make wise food choices that allow you to stay alert and vibrant.
Red Meat
The tryptophan in red meat can make both serotonin and melatonin. These brain chemicals help regulate our sleep cycle. In addition, eating red meat may contribute to fatigue if we’re not digesting it properly, which could result in an unhealthy gut and elevated levels of inflammation.
Most red meat is processed in a way that makes it difficult for our bodies to digest. It is a good idea to purchase red meat thoughtfully, try to choose minimally processed, grass-fed beef and pair it with fibre-rich foods like vegetables, salads or whole grains to help your body digest it properly.
Your taste buds will thank you for trying our naturally farm-raised turkey.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates and excess sugar and sweeteners in products marketed as “health foods” that lack fibre can wreak havoc on our bodies.
Meals like white pasta, white bread, crackers, candy, juices, granola, and others—can leave you feeling exhausted an hour after eating them because they cause your blood sugar to spike.
Oatmeal and rice are the kinds of foods that can be either very healthy or very unhealthy, they affect everyone’s health differently. Despite that, oatmeal provides fibre and other nutrients. It’s a great resource for those who want to start their day off on the tastiest foot possible by avoiding instant packets full of sugar and flavourings. The secret to getting the most benefits from your morning meal? Be sure to add some protein like nut butter or a hard-boiled egg on the side to control blood sugar and nutrient absorption, making sure you stay fuller longer.
For a delicious and healthy alternative try our fibre flakes.
Coffee Consumption
Caffeine works by interfering with the brain chemical adenosine, which makes us sleepy. This means that when the caffeine wears off and adenosine levels recede, we’ll feel the effects of sleep deprivation all over again and experience a surge of fatigue as a result. Caffeine also stimulates the release of cortisol, which is our body’s major stress hormone. High levels of cortisol can cause stress and fatigue.
Our Ginger Tea has become a popular alternative for coffee drinkers.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that makes people feel sleepy and calm. Some research has shown that alcohol can affect your circadian rhythm by decreasing the important REM stage of sleep — which can leave you feeling tired and sluggish when you need to be alert. Scientific studies have shown that people who are unable to get sufficient quality sleep report higher incidences of anxiety and depression.
Drinking in moderation is okay; we all have to have some fun! But consuming too many alcoholic drinks every few days can lead to serious health problems. We recommend our antioxidant drink as an alternative to alcohol.
Allergic Foods
When we eat foods to which our body is allergic, the immune system produces histamines to flush out the allergen. The adrenal glands pump out cortisol to relieve inflammation caused by this allergic reaction. This process leaves us with a feeling of brain fog and decreased concentration.
To avoid fatigue from poor food choices, try avoiding foods that contain ingredients you are allergic/sensitive to, and avoid foods that raise your blood sugar quickly or increase stress hormone levels. Eating protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fibre from whole, minimally processed foods will give you a steady stream of energy.
You can get your daily dose of calcium, iron, and vitamins by sprinkling some cinnamon powder on your food.