Food for Fuel
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Food for Fuel
By Luigi Gratton, M.D., M.P.H.
Vice President, Medical Affairs and Education
Your body is a complex machine that requires the right combination of fuel to keep it running at peak efficiency. It obtains this energy from the foods you eat. However, what you eat plays an extremely important role when it comes to supporting optimum energy levels.
Sugar causes energy peaks and troughs
Many people are unaware that unhealthy food choices contribute to their lack of energy, with sugar consumption the main culprit. Americans consume over 150 pounds of sugar yearly in candy and soft drinks. A large sugar load initially provides a quick energy boost, which is followed by a rapid decline. This is the reason so many Americans feel sleepy after lunch. Processed sugars such as pastas, rice, breads and chips cause these peaks and troughs in people’s energy levels. The remedy to this situation is a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and ample hydration.
Water works
Hydration in the human body is paramount to our health and our energy level is greatly impacted by the amount of water that we drink. Even a 5% drop in body fluids will cause a 25-30% loss of energy in most people. Eight glasses of water daily, which is approximately 2 liters, is a healthy amount of hydration. Proper hydration maintains healthy bodily function and prevents fatigue.
Macronutrients
In addition to water, our bodies also need high-energy foods to perform our daily routines. All food is broken down into three major macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins. Certain Carbohydrates can be a good source of energy, while others can cause imbalances in blood sugar. Whole-grains such as whole-wheat bread or brown rice help to even out blood sugar levels. Other carbs, such as candy bars, sodas, chips and cookies are simple sugars which cause the peaks and troughs. There are also different kinds of fats. Flax seed oil, fish oil, olive oil, as well as the natural oils founds in seeds and nuts, are healthy for the body and help to increase your energy. All trans fats are undesirable, so be sure to read food labels for the amount of these fats in any food. Protein is the third macronutrient which is essential to energy production. The best sources of protein come from lean meats, fish, white meat of chicken, and healthy soy protein. Avoid protein from fast foods, as it lacks nutritional value and is often processed meat. Also remember to stay away from fatty cuts of meat. Look for lean cuts marked “loin” like “tenderloin” or “sirloin.”
Another great way to increase your energy is by drinking a healthy, nutritious protein shake. For example, Herbalife’s Formula 1 shakes provide the ideal balance of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins that are important for maintaining energy levels throughout the day.
Lasting energy
Our bodies require high-energy foods to perform our daily routines and to maintain a level of consistent energy. Additionally, it’s important to avoid sugar, which causes the energy “peaks and troughs.” Remember, the combination of good nutrition, drinking plenty of water and avoiding high-sugar foods, will help you achieve the energy to fuel your day.
** This article has been sourced from the Herbalife official website at www.herbalife.com. **
Vitamin & Nutrient Associations
Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance.
It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly.
The nutrition products I am going to recommend you make use of knowledge gained from the botanical world's 6,000 year history. They incorporated health building nutritional herbs with the best modern technology to help our bodies cleanse and detoxify so that the cells - the tiniest living units - can be as fully nourished as possible.
This allows the cells to grow, repair and to perform their functions with the best possible efficiency so that we feel and look better and are more able to prevent and fight disease. Once the body begins to clear itself of toxins it can more efficiently absorb nutrition.
As Aloe Vera Juice is a refreshing and anti-bacterial drink, you might find that taking this daily, diluted in some filtered water will not only refresh you like ‘a shower inside you’ but also assists in dealing with any digestive issues you may also be experiencing. Taken with Flora-Fiber tabs it will cleanse your digestive system and improve your immunity levels overall.
You may find benefit from our information on detoxification as well as a bit about detoxing because of change of diet
It may be due to difficulties with your digestive system that is causing your body to be starved of key nutrients, vitamins or minerals. In this case you may find useful answers by reviewing our article on Nutrition For Your Cells. There is also more information here about why is nutrition such an issue nowadays?
It may be that your metabolism has slowed due to pressures that have been placed on your system through life in general or through specific “challenges” you have faced in the last few months or last few years. Review this by looking at our article about balancing your Metabolic Rate.
Further reading through our articles on health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.
You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements and learn more about our core nutrition program, the Cellular Nutrition Advanced Program and also check out these targeted products, Florafiber to replace your healthy flora and Aloe Vera Juice to help cleanse your system.
We wish you well in your search for solutions to this problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.
More Resources available about Food for Fuel :
You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements to learn more about some of the nutrition products mentioned in our recommendations above.
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