The Best Foods to Eat for Energy

Healthy Foods

If you have to drag yourself with the day, it’s easy to think popping a supplement or chugging an energy drink might help recharge your battery. Not so fast. All-day energy doesn’t originate from a pill or a concoction inside a can. It comes from real food, that is packed with nature’s secret stash of natural revitalizers such as complex carbs, protein, and fiber. All foods and most drinks contain calories which we are able to use as an energy source. The nutrients that provide us with energy are carbohydrates, fats, protein and alcohol.

Many of these food choices are healthy and will provide energy because according to the study they contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, while being low in calories. Try these energy boosters on the run, inside a recipe, for a snack, or in a meal.

Red Beans

Small and dark red beans are low in fat, high in protein and fiber that will leave you feeling full and energized. A good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamin red beans also contain phytonutrients.

Bananas

Since they're composed mostly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, bananas really are a foolproof energy food. Top them with peanut or almond butter for any well-rounded snack, or slice one into your morning cereal for an extra boost that will keep you going until lunchtime.

Salmon

Salmon is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and is a good source of protein. Most importantly though salmon is definitely an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a type of fat which makes your blood less likely to form clots and could also protect against irregular heartbeats, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease the growth of artery-clogging plaques, lower blood pressure and prevent stroke.

Beans

Lean protein, iron, B-vitamins and amino acids make beans a clear go-to for energy, but another big benefit originates from their fiber content. Fiber slows digestion, giving your body a longer-term source of energy.

Brown Rice

Rich in manganese, the mineral that helps produce energy from protein and carbs, it can help you maintain high energy all day. A versatile ingredient, brown rice can be served like a side dish with your favorite lean proteins (together with nutrient-packed veggies!) for a powerhouse your meal.

Sweet Potato

With only 54 calories in one small sweet potato, this delicious food is fat-free and low in calories. Additionally, the deep orange-yellow color of sweet potatoes means that they're high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Energy food sources of beta carotene, that are converted to vitamin A in your body, might help slow the aging process and prevent some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also good sources of fiber, vitamins B-6, C and E, folate and potassium.

Yogurt

Having a rainbow of flavors to choose from, yogurt is really a healthy breakfast or snack option when you’re on a tight schedule. Rich in magnesium, which is crucial for that release of energy, yogurt also adds a dose of calcium to your diet. Enjoy it post-workout to help replenish your glycogen sources.

Almonds

Almonds, like many nuts, are one of the best plant sources of protein. Protein will help regulate your blood sugar and keep your energy level stable through the day. Almonds are also good for your heart simply because they contain monounsaturated fat which may help lower blood cholesterol levels. Along with protein, almonds contain fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium.

Apples

Fiber will help satisfy your appetite and provide you with a quick energy supply by making you are feeling full. Apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that may lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Antioxidants, like vitamin C, will help protect your body's cells from damage and fresh apples are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C also helps make up the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and blood vessels healthy, and helps with the absorption of iron.

Carrots

Carrots are high in fiber, so that they are a great crunchy way to take the edge off hunger, while providing some good nutrition. They contain high amounts of Vitamin A, in the form of Beta-Carotene, which is good for that eye sight. Since they are a veggie which mixes well with most other foods, they are great to snack on through the day.

Blueberries

Blueberries have been shown to improve short-term memory and promote healthy aging. Blueberries will also be a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C. Just 1 cup of fresh blueberries has 84 calories, 3.6 grams of fiber and 14 mg of vitamin C.

Foods that Give You Energy

Broccoli

Broccoli is another great source of the antioxidants vitamins A and C to safeguard your cells from damage. It's also a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber. Many of these will leave you with energy and a powerful immune system.

Lemon Water

It may sounds simple, but sipping water with lemon (cold or hot) may provide energy. One of the biggest forms of fatigue is dehydration, so be sure to sip up! Lemon gives an additional boost of vitamins and enzymes. Be sure to start your day having a cup of hot water with lemon.

Benefits of Strawberries for Health

The health benefits of strawberries include improved eye care, proper brain function, relief from high blood pressure, arthritis, gout as well as other cardiovascular diseases. Strawberries are chockfull of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that may flavorfully help you reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammatory diseases, and birth defects as well as mouthwateringly manage your weight.

Even though the strawberry is usually referred to as a fruit, it is actually an accessory or false fruit, since its red fleshy part doesn’t develop in the flower’s ovary, but is derived from the non-reproductive parts of the flower. The actual fruits are achenes, the minute hard seeds of varying color, baked into the strawberry surface. Here are the bountiful health benefits of strawberries.

Eye Care

The main reasons for almost all problems related to the eyes have the freedom radicals or a deficiency of certain nutrients. With an increase of age and a lack of these protective nutrients, the damaging oxidants or free radicals can cause heavy damage on the eyes, such as excessively dry eyes, degeneration of the optical nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects and increased inclination towards infections as well.

Helps burn stored fat

The red coloring contains anthocyanins, which stimulate the burning of stored fat. Whenever a group of animals was fed a high-fat diet together with anthocyanins, they gained 24 percent less weight compared to animals eating the high-fat diet without added anthocyanins.

Antioxidants

Strawberries contain anthrocyanin, that is a powerful antioxidant that protects us in the damaging effects of our environment, especially the sun. The antioxidant power of the anthrocyanins present in strawberries lasts up to 24 hours after consumption; this will make them a great defence against free radical damage!

Prevents heart disease

Shaped like a heart, strawberries have nutrients like flavonoids and antioxidants which prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol which could clog your arteries. Additionally, these nutrients have anti-inflammation properties that is good for the heart.

Immune System

The immune system is our body’s first type of defense against infections, microbial action, along with a wide variety of other potentially damaging and dangerous conditions that may affect our body. Vitamin C is a huge booster for that immune system and has long been known as a helpful cure for common colds and coughs, along with its effect on any other infections as well. Vitamin C also stimulates the activity of white blood cells, the body’s first type of defense against toxins and foreign bodies.

Bone Health

Manganese can also be great for the bones, helping in bone building and maintaining proper bone structure. The potassium, vitamin K, and magnesium in strawberries will also be important for bone health.

Brain Function

Unfortunately, it's very common for old people to begin losing their memory and control over certain activities, muscles, and limbs. It's because either the natural or premature aging of the brain and nervous system. Actually, free radicals are the agents responsible for signs of aging simply because they have an adverse effect on these two systems. Due to the activity of free radicals, the brain tissues start degenerating and also the nerves become weaker. Luckily, strawberries benefits will help you avoid these untimely conditions in life.

Good for your skin

Whenever you age, your skin and other body parts are afflicted by damage due to free radicals. This method is similar to the process of a metal rusting because of exposure to air. Vitamin C and antioxidants present in strawberries might help slow down this process and keep your skin wrinkle-free for extended.

Cancer

Vitamin-C, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin and kaempferol are just a few of the many flavonoids in strawberries which possess excellent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Together, they form a great line of defense to fight cancer and tumor growth. The daily consumption of strawberries is connected to a drastic decrease in the presence and metastasis of hazardous cancer cells.

Arthritis and Gout

The degeneration of muscles and tissues, the drying up of the fluid which helps increase mobility of the joints, and also the accumulation of toxic substances and acids (such as uric acid) in the body are some of the ill effects of free radicals. These are the primary causes of arthritis and gout, two extremely irritating and debilitating conditions.

Best Oils For Your Natural Hair

Our hair is constantly exposed to harsh chemicals and harmful treatments. The shampoos, conditioners, styling gels as well as the simple act of combing and blow-drying can leave curls looking and feeling dull, lifeless and damaged. You can now return to nature and use these miracle natural oils to change your hair. Some of these oils can even be used to enhance hair growth.

By now we all know that using mineral oil and petroleum oils as well as their derivatives is not necessarily a good thing for hair as they seal out moisture, thus adding to hair dryness in the long run. If like me, you had been a bit confused as to what the very best oils are for hair and when you should use them, this article offers a take a look at what the major oils are and which ones are especially good for hair.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil, like avocados themselves, contains proteins, healthy fats, amino acids and vitamins A, D, E and B6. The proteins can help fill in damaged airs in your hair’s cuticles, repairing damage that’s already been done and preventing future breakage and frizz. Avocado oil is powerful and thick, so it is most effective when used on medium to thick hair.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Essential Oil For HairThinning hair has a tendency to hold in more dirt and toxins; rosemary essential oil is ideal for cleansing and it also contains loads of vitamin B, iron and calcium. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for thinning and brittle hair, and it also has been scientifically proven to prevent premature graying.

Almond Oil

Almond oil for hair is recommended by many people hair experts due to it's very good composition of fats and essential fatty acid properties. This composition of fats and fatty acids is extremely beneficial for almost all types of hair as it turns out to be very nourishing, and softens and strengthens the hair. Almond oil can be effectively used being an emollient and tends to soothe your skin. Being an emollient, almond oil also tends to have a very stable and neutral state once applied. This oil very rarely turns rancid. The mixture of fatty acids also makes almond oil a very sweet smelling oil that provides off a rather heavenly aroma.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a great moisturizer for that hair, it helps to keep the scalp free from bacteria and fungal problems. Tea tree oil unblocks the sebaceous glands and encourage the flow of the scalp’s own moisturizing oils while eliminating dead skin cells. Tea tree oil mixed with other essential oils is especially good as a scalp treatment for relieving dandruff.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a light oil that locks moisture within the skin so cells have enough water to operate efficiently. It can be used to nourish the scalp and hair without leaving the buildup of other oils that weigh the hair down.

Castor Oil

Castor oil works to coat the hair shaft and smooth the cuticle layer, sealing in moisture and leaving the hair feeling soft and silky. It's more easily absorbed by the hair, permitting deeper penetration into the hair shaft. Castor oil also helps the hair to develop. Regularly applying Castor oil to your scalp and roots can help promote regrowth of hair. It is also reported to assist thicken hair that is thinning out.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil isn’t actually an oil, it’s a liquefied wax that's extracted from a shrub native to the southwestern US. Jojoba oil is high in vitamins A, E and D and it is great for all hair types. It can be present in several all-natural shampoos and hair products, but such as the other oils, it’s most effective on its own. Jojoba oil helps repair harm to your hair and promotes new, healthy hair growth.

Pomegranate Seed Oil

For fine or thinning hair, Pomegranate seed oil can function miracles. It contains high amounts of punicic acid, which revitalizes your hair leaving it looking thick and glossy. It’s also a great protector against chemicals and other environmental damage. Pomegranate seed oil is extremely thick and somewhat expensive, you are able to mix it with extra-virgin olive oil to make it last longer and get the benefits of both.

Beauty Benefits of Almond Oil

Almond oil is acquired from dried almonds via a process called cold pressing. The good aspect of using this skin care product is the benefits derived from its vitamins for example E, A and D. It's also rich in oleic and linoleic acids. It's mostly used as a skin care product but can also be used as a medicinal oil for some skin disorders. 

Almond oil is available in two variants - sweet and bitter. The greater popular one is sweet almond oil which is basically obtained from sweet almond seeds. It is packed with beauty and health benefits which is the reason behind its wide usage in beauty products but for the purpose of consumption. On the other hand, bitter almond oil is obtained from the bitter almond plant and isn't meant for consumption or external application.

Cleanse and Eliminate Toxins in Your Body

Almonds contain beneficial antioxidants that will actively cleanse and eliminate toxins and toxins in your body. If you want to cleanse your skin pollutions, to nibble on this nut frequently. This really is helpful because the antioxidant components in almonds will actively cleanse pollution in your body, making your skin smooth and glowing from the inside.

Cleanser

People with acne problems or sensitive skin aren't suggested to use almond oil for facial scrub, however they can use the oil as facial cleanser. The good thing is you don’t need to mix it with other solution. Apply almond oil straight to your facial skin and leave it for a few minutes.

Reduces dark circles

Dip your pointer finger in almond oil and slightly rub it around the under eye skin. Do not rub it way too hard as it will not get completely absorbed. This improves blood circulation; following this ritual daily not only lessens under eye circles but also improves the texture of under eye skin. While massaging under eye skin ensure that the almond oil does not go in your eyes.

Stretch marks

Another major concern for both men and women would be the ghastly stretch marks. By massaging this oil, you are able to improve the elasticity of the skin and its regenerative properties can help heal the affected skin. This can not let to the formation of recent stretch marks and may also lighten the present ones slightly.

Moisturizing

Almonds possess a way of trapping moisture in the skin keeping it moisturized all the time. Better still, its high lubricating quality makes many users stay with using it as their daily skin care.

Scrub

Almond oil is a superb carrier for salt and sugar, so that you can use it as the carrier oil for your facial scrub. Generally, the salt or sugar works by removing dirt and rough or dead skin cells in the face. Almond oil works by immediately moisturize the scrubbed skin. A mixture of almond oil with sugar is also effective to soften the lips.