4 Ways To Boost Your Energy Through Diet

It’s frustrating if you want to improve your health and wellness but don’t know where to start. Fortunately, learning the tools you need to make better choices on a daily basis doesn’t have to be out of reach.

Dr. Terry L. Franklin understands how frustrating it is trying to get safe and reliable health information in today’s world. That’s why he simplifies the process by offering lifestyle education services for his patients in Monterey, California.

Best of all, Dr. Franklin takes your specific needs into consideration while giving you the tools you need to succeed. And he makes sure you end up with a lifestyle plan that works for you so it will last a lifetime.

Here are four simple ways to boost your energy through diet alone.

Follow a balanced diet.

Don’t overthink or heavily restrict your diet. There’s really no such thing as good or bad options. Instead, think about food as energy. It’s all about balance.

For example, people often think of carbohydrates as bad, but your body uses them for energy. So the secret is choosing complex carbohydrates —  like whole grains, brown rice, and starchy vegetables — over refined carbohydrates like sweets, white bread, and pasta.

Other key items in a balanced diet include plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and some healthy fats, like avocados, seeds, and nuts. 

The easiest way to make healthy food choices on the fly typically involves selecting items as close to their natural state as possible. Why? They don’t include added saturated fats, sugar, salt, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.

Avoid processed foods.

It’s no secret that processed foods typically taste good and cost less. But most of them also contain potentially harmful substances and few nutrients — which zaps your body of energy.

On top of that, studies show that eating more than four servings of processed food each day increases your risk of all-cause mortality. And that risk increases by a whopping 18% for each additional serving.

Examples of processed food include:

• Frozen or premade meals
• Packaged breads and baked goods
• Processed cheese products, ice cream, and candy
• Breakfast cereals, chips, and crackers
• Instant soups and noodles
• Reconstituted meats, like fish sticks, nuggets, sausages, and processed hams
• Sweetened drinks and sodas

Not sure a product is processed? Read the label. If it sounds like a foreign language or as if it was made in a lab, leave it on the shelf.

Don’t go hungry.

In addition to fueling your body the right way, don’t let your body’s gas tank run on empty. Your body needs energy to keep running, just as a car needs fuel to run.

To keep your energy humming, eat three moderate-sized meals each day, along with a snack or two. This approach keeps your blood sugar from getting too low, so you feel your best all day.

Drink plenty of water.

Finally, the last crucial dietary necessity for energy doesn’t involve food at all. It’s all about hydration.

Drinking enough water is vital for function. And, believe it or not, even small amounts of water loss significantly impairs function, performance, and energy levels.

Generally speaking, you should drink at least 6-8 cups of water each day. But most people need more, especially if they exercise or live in a warm environment.

Dr. Franklin can also offer personalized recommendations about whether you could benefit from additional support, like IV infusion therapy.

Adopting these four habits into your daily life can transform your energy levels. And Dr. Franklin can provide even more guidance on a case-by-case basis.

Do you want help feeling and performing your best? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Franklin in downtown Monterey, California, today.