Picking Foods for Fuel

Day 16 of the UBC: Foods as Fuel

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There’s nothing better than a wonderful meal. Foods that are tasty and pair well together make mealtime an adventure. Everyone knows that burgers go with fries and a steak goes with potatoes, right? We choose foods because they go together or it’s fun to eat them in combination. When people plan meals, they generally think of protein, starch, and carbohydrates that complement and enhance one another as whole. They are considering what will present well and satisfy their families. They usually don’t think about food as fuel, they consider it fun.

The thing is, there are no rules that say foods must always go together. Foods can be chosen for their desired effect or the direct benefits they provide. In this way, foods can be paired together in non-traditional ways, but rather than please the eye, they generate tremendous energy.

Choose foods for their benefits not taste

This is not to say beneficial foods can’t be tasty. On the contrary, healthy foods are some of the most delicious foods available, we just don’t think of them placed on the same plate with a food we typically see paired with something else. Making important food choices should be driven by the type and level of energy needed for the day. By choosing foods for their healthy merit, there might be a wide variety of seemingly unrelated items on your plate, but they work together to create generous amounts of energy.

Thinking of foods as categorical can help you choose foods for their purpose and pair the best options available for your energy needs. Choosing a high-quality protein, beneficial veggie, and healthy whole grain doesn’t have to come together as a cohesive meal. They can stand alone and make a big impact.

Suggestions for fuel-based foods

Here are some healthy food combos that might not seem to go together but really pack a punch when it comes to generating energy.  

• Eggs
• String cheese
• Almonds
• Banana
• Raw broccoli

These foods provide a lot of energy, calcium, and important nutrients your body needs, but on the surface don’t seem to go together.

• Salmon
• Sweet potato
• Peanut butter
• Whole grain bread
• Apple slices

Another combination of foods that create energy that lasts for hours.

Conclusion

Learning what foods work best for your unique needs can help you make food choices that make sense for you. Some people don’t like meat, where others prefer it as a primary source of protein. Other people thrive on putting everything into a blender and creating smoothies concocted with a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and protein. There’s no wrong way to choose foods that create fuel for your body.

It’s important to eat for fun, that’s part of what makes life…fun! It’s also important to choose foods that have a specific purpose to generate lasting energy. Mix it up during the day and choose foods for their benefits as well as foods that are just plain fun.

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Loving Life — The Reboot!

Dominique

This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.