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Six Natural Energy Sources To Power Your Body

Feeling low on energy? These foods can boost your energy levels and give you the advantage needed to finish the WOD you barely managed last time.

Depending on your level of fitness and your goals, you probably heard different approaches to which diet to follow, or what not to eat. One thing is certain, you need to fuel your body before training in order to lift as heavy as needed or to run for as long as you want. BOXROX has selected six natural energy sources to power your body.

“Carbohydrates are the enemy of any athlete.” You probably heard or read something similar when researching a new diet to follow. The Keto Diet and the Paleo Diet, two famous diets in the CrossFit community, certainly fall into that category. However, as usual, when it comes to nutrition it is not that simple.

It actually goes in the opposite direction if you are looking for a good source of energy to fuel your body. “Carbs are the primary energy source for us,” says Justin Romaire, a nutrition coach, founder and CEO of Consistency Breeds Growth.

“Food is considered energy if it has calories. The calorie is the unit of energy we use, define how much energy a food provides,” he adds.

It is important to make a distinction, though. Some foods can boost your energy levels very quickly, while others are more sustainable in the long run. A quick energy boost would be perfect for an intense short sprint, while a slower energy food is more suitable for a long run, for example.

“Quick natural energy sources would be any high glycemic carbohydrate. Longer more sustained energy would come from complex carbohydrates,” Justin Romaire explains. Glycemic index (GI) is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels.

With that in mind, here are 6 natural energy sources to power your body.

White Potatoes

White potatoes

Usually considered the enemy in most diets, do not shy away from this food. To get an energy boost quickly “white potatoes are going to be your best bet,” Justin tells us.

High glycemic foods are considered to have a value between 70 and 100. White potatoes, depending on how you prepare them, can have a GI above 85.

One medium baked white potato contains 37 grams of carbs, 4.5 grams of fibre, 4 grams of protein and 1.8 grams of sugar. It also has vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and zinc.

Dates

Dates fruitSource: Unsplash

Dates are high in natural sugars so it will increase your energy level quickly. They are great for a snack between workouts if you feel low on energy.

Dates are also great antioxidant fruits, it provides essential nutrients such as vitamin B-6 and iron, are high in fibre and potassium. One average-sized Deglet Noor date (the most common type available in supermarkets) carries 20 calories.

Cherries

Natural energy sources: cheeries

Although it is considered a low glycemic food (55 on the glycemic index), it is another great source of energy boost for athletes looking for quick fuel. That is because most of its carbohydrates come from natural sugar, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

A cup of cherries (155 grams) contains 18% of your daily value of vitamin C, 10% of potassium, 5% of copper and 5% of manganese.

Cherries are also a good source of fibre, provide vitamin B, vitamin K and magnesium.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoesSource: Unsplash

“Longer and more sustained energy would come from complex carbohydrates,” explains Justin Romaire. Here is where the sweet potatoes fit in.

This starchy root vegetable provides consistent energy throughout the day and is a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. 200 grams of baked sweet potatoes pack 41 grams of carbs and contains 769% of your daily value of vitamin A.

Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants as well which protect your body from free radicals and prevents inflammation.

Oatmeal

Natural energy sources oatmeal oats porridge

Oatmeal, also referred to as porridge, is another great source of complex carbs that fuels the body for a longer period. It has a GI value of 55, according to Harvard. Preparing a cup of oatmeal with milk increase the fat, protein and calorie content, all of which increase the energy boost you will receive.

Oatmeal is also packed with fibre, which decreases the chances of heart disease, contains magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin B.

Avocado

natural energy sources: avocadoSource: Dream79

“Fats digest and absorb much slower than carbs and are, therefore, also a great long term energy source,” Justin Romaire reiterates. Enter the avocado in our list, one of the main stars in a ketogenic diet due to its high level of fat.

Avocados contain potassium, dietary fibre, sodium, magnesium, vitamins A, E, K and B-6, plus monounsaturated fatty acids – known as the “good fat” that lowers your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol.

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