Food Swaps that Rev Up your Energy
Day 17 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. We are on the downhill side now and looking at food’s impact on improving your energy.
People are creatures of habit. They like what they like, and they get into a routine of buying the same thing over and again. It’s the same with our food choices. We tend to eat what we’ve always eaten because it’s
- Fast
- Easy
- Convenient
- Predictable
These can be good reasons to choose a food item, but they may not be the healthiest. When it comes to generating energy with our food, it might be time to swap the foods you usually eat for foods that rev up your energy.
This doesn’t mean you have to abandon the foods you love. On the contrary, it’s possible to find healthy swaps for foods you love but may not be generating enough energy. Here are some great foods swaps that can help you generate energy that lasts all day-
Fast food swaps that generate more energy-
Swap- Swap out fast food chicken nuggets for grilled options. While nuggets might seem healthy, they are a chicken product made of a paste made from all parts of the chicken. The sodium and chemicals in nuggets can drain your energy and make you feel sleepy. Grilled chicken is just as fast to grab but it’s real chicken that will give you protein and energy that lasts.
Swap- Happy meals for bistro boxes. Instead of heading to the Golden Arches for a grab-n-go meal, try healthier bistro boxes that include items like hard boiled eggs, fruit, whole grain bread and peanut butter. You’ll have a lot more energy when you choose something to-go that is full of whole foods.
Grocery store swaps that generate more energy
Swap- Processed peanut products with fresh ground peanut butter. Did you know, most of the peanut butter you grew up eating isn’t that healthy? There are a lot of chemicals, sodium, sugar, and binders in processed peanut butter spread that lure you into thinking you’re eating well. Most stores offer freshly ground peanut butter in their bulk section that is much healthier.
Swap- Nitrate free meats for standard deli meat. Choosing luncheon meats that are nitrate free is healthier for your brain and body, plus they won’t make you sleepy. Many cured foods taste great, but their high sodium content can lead to heart disease. Choose meats that are nitrate free and you’ll feel more energized and be heart healthy.
Conclusion
It’s hard to believe that eating foods prepared in different ways can affect your energy. It would be easy if the chicken was simply chicken regardless of preparation but that isn’t the case. Swapping out foods that are not as healthy or made in unhealthy ways for better options can help make eating for energy effortless without giving up the types of foods you love.
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.
21 Comments
Jojo Reyes Jr
Interesting read. Thank you for sharing.
Victoria+Juster
You did it again, Dominique! Great info, thank you.
Kuntala
I can’t tell you how glad I am to have come across this! My energy level has been low lately, and I think revamping my diet with these suggestions will definitely help me get it back up again.
Cinny
I definitely believe in you are what you eat. Certain junky foods make me feel much crappier.
Elisa
Good thing I gave up fast food as a kid. Giving up my Skippy peanut butter – hmm not sure I can do that! Lol
Martha
I did this back in 2018 when I went on my healthy eating plan do to health reasons. It’s not that hard to switch to health alternatives and we feel so much better inside and out.
Shilpa Bindlish
I loved the write up literally. Needed such swaps in my eating habits desperately. Thanks for sharing.
Leanne Wong
What a fantastic idea to swap for healthy food options. Not necessarily giving up on things you love but changing it up for a healthier choice!
Super Busy Mum
A super informative post, especially since I am now doing 6 workouts out of 7 each week! Thank you so much!
Ntensibe Edgar
Hhmmmm…I think I can try this! It will be hard, I know, but I can try it!
Elizabeth O
These are such great ideas! I love that they can boost my energy, but even more than that, I adore how easy these changes are to make!
Eileen M Loya
Very informative post. I should do as you say and pick better food options. It is easy to find them if we really take a good look at the food we are buying and avoid all those with preservatives and other nasty stuff.
Ivan M. Jose
I love this idea of food swapping because they are really simple to do but can bring a lot of benefits to our overall health and well-being.
Laura
Love these healthy-swap ideas! When I’m focused on being health-conscious (as I should be more often), I always make it a point to get grilled nuggets or a grilled chicken sandwich rather than the fried.
Emily Fata
This is definitely great information to have in your back pocket! Thanks so much for sharing this with us all!
Angie Vallejo
Good tips that I need to go back to doing. Thanks about the reminder about how breaded chicken nuggets are made — Chick-fil-a grilled nuggets are my go-to!
Renata Green
Excellent post and certainly very helpful to many people. Especially after all those lockdowns and spending hours on sofas, a healthy diet will certainly help to get in shape.
Anosa+Malanga
Glad I came over to this post. Indeed a great read. I never thought about losing such energy and now I learned something new. Thanks for sharing such insights.
Emman+Damian
Wow! Great food swaps! I learned a lot about food. Thanks!
Kisha
I think this is a great idea to help with healthy eating.
Lyanna Soria
That sounds like a great idea to do and will try this out sometime. Thanks for sharing this information with us.