This is such a busy time of year, isn't it? Whether it's school or after-school commitments, social or philanthropic organizations that start meeting again after the summer, end of the year plans at work, or all of the above, fall activities are demanding! If you're like me, you know you plan too much, but you still want to be efficient, accomplish everything, and do it well. There is no time in the schedule for running out of energy or getting sick, and "Collapse From Exhaustion" is not on the TO DO list. But your body will stop you if you don't stop it first. How will you know if you are running on empty? The number one warning sign is fatigue.
Abnormal fatigue can be a sign from your body that you are overworking, overthinking, underresting, or undereating. (I don't know if all those are words, but they should be.) A variety of illnesses and medical conditions can cause fatigue, including hormone disorders, depression, and pregnancy, so if you notice a dramatic or persistent change in your energy level, it's wise to consult your physician. The good news is that if it's your hectic agenda that's leaving you drained, you can give yourself the best chance of staying well by looking at a few key areas ? sleep, nutrition, hydration, and relaxation.
As with many beneficial life habits, these four staples of health do not have catchy slogans or expensive promotional campaigns. Bottled water brands and sleep number beds are starting to change that, but they're based on the premise that you need a very extravagant bed or water purification system, rather than the idea that you need sleep and water to be healthy. (Common sense, you say? How long has it been since you got eight hours of sleep and drank two liters of water in the same day?) Most nutrition-related marketing promotes one food or food group over another, rather than the guiding principle that you faithful readers know by now: eating frequent, small amounts of a variety of foods.
On the other hand, I'm sure you've seen and heard multiple advertisements for energy bars, energy drinks, and energy boosting supplements, promising more energy if you eat or drink the magical concoction of chemicals. Remember what you learned in Nutrition 101: Your body can only make energy from three things: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. ONLY. Other nutrients help your body USE energy, including iron and B vitamins, but nothing you get in a pill can actually give you more energy than eating actual food. Caffeine, ginseng, guarana, ma huang, ephedra, and xenedrine are all stimulants that make your heart beat faster, so your brain gets more oxygen, so you FEEL like you have more energy?but it's a trap. When the effects wear off, you will be more tired than you were before. If you use the chemicals again, you perpetuate the cycle, or in other words, you're hooked!
Quick Tip: Real energy means calories. If a product contains 0 calories, it's a fake.
The good news (yes, there's more!) is that although no supplement can make up for poor habits, changing habits can eliminate the need for these potentially harmful chemicals in your body. Easier said than done, I agree. But start in one area, and experiment with a small change. If you see results, you will have proved to yourself that the change is worth it! In the coming weeks, we'll look at each of the key areas, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and relaxation, with the goal of maintaining exceptional energy throughout your day.
If you need an energy makeover, why not keep an energy log? On 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days write down the following: What time it is each time you eat (you don't have to write down WHAT you eat); what time it is when you go to sleep and when you wake up; what beverages you drink throughout the day; any relaxing activities you did that day; and a description of your energy (highs or lows) throughout the day. In two weeks we'll meet back and see what your results mean and where to improve! To be continued?
Jessica Setnick is a registered dietitian in Dallas, Texas who travels the world spreading nutrition wisdom. As an accomplished speaker and writer, Jessica's passion is promoting a positive relationship with food and eating as a key component of a healthy and happy life. Find out more or contact Jessica to speak at your event by visiting her website at www.understandingnutrition.com.
? 2004 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to www.understandingnutrition.com.
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
Dr. Christine Wood, M.D, a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California,... Read More
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
In the last twenty years, a huge and growing body... Read More
Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
Nutrition |