Food as Fuel

[ 0 ] October 19, 2018 | Maria

CAPTION: Oatmeal and fruit, the perfect combination

In today’s world, it’s easy to be confused about what we should be eating. Whether you want to lose weight, gain weight, bulk up, tone up, have more energy, have clearer skin, feel happier, chances are that you’ve been told there’s a diet for that. Whilst food does have an enormous impact on all aspects of our mental and physical wellbeing, at the end of the day it is fuel. Food is the fuel that your body burns in order to work, to play, to rest and to get the most enjoyment out of life. Thinking about what you eat and when you eat it can help you to make sure you have the energy you need to live well and feel happy.

Slow release energy

Foods that contain slow release energy are a great idea at any time of the day, but particularly first thing in the morning. Many of us find ourselves rushing around in the AM, trying to get out the door as quickly as possible, and therefore unable to find time to sit down to a proper breakfast. Well, there’s a reason why traditional breakfast foods like eggs, oats, bananas and orange juice have stuck around for so long. Each of these foods contains slow release energy that can get you through until lunch time and they’re quick and easy to make.

One example of a fantastic breakfast meal is oats. Whether you prefer hot oatmeal made with creamy coconut milk and sprinkled with chia seeds, or cold overnight oats kept in the fridge and scattered with pecans before you dig in, oats are number one. Rich in vitamins and minerals, and slow to digest, they’ll keep your stomach full and happy until lunchtime. Also you can customise them to any taste with fruit (bananas are another great slow release energy option), golden syrup, chocolate sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg… the list is endless!

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CAPTION: Fuel up!

Nutrition mission

Whatever your day entails, you’ll need plenty of energy in order to get through it. Whether you’ve got a full day in the office ahead, or are working on a creative project, or even getting out of the house for some exercise, think about how you can best fuel these missions. The extra energy you need in order to run a 5K might come from a different source than the energy you’ll need to plan and execute an important training session with colleagues.

What you eat has a huge impact on how you think. Have you ever gone back to work after lunch and found yourself sluggish and unmotivated? This can easily happen when you’re eating the wrong foods at lunchtime. If you need to concentrate and use your brain, then a big bowl of pasta in the middle of the day might not be the best idea. Those with cerebral occupations, like lawyers, academics and poker players know that nutrition is important when it comes to bringing your A game.

Great brain foods include natural foods like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, beans, and that millennial favourite, avocados. Try incorporating some of these into your lunchtime meal; keep it light, tasty and nutritional instead of weighing yourself down with excess carbs. You can replace bad foods with healthier alternatives too, such as swapping out ice-cream for frozen yogurt, or fatty meaty ones for New York Minute healthy vegan burgers.

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CAPTION: Eat what makes you happy

Professional vs. do-it-yourself

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the world of modern day food can be confusing and overwhelming. This is why many people are now choosing to bring in the professionals and consult a nutritionist. No longer the sole affair of athletes and celebrities, consulting a trained nutrition specialist is now an affordable and accessible option to the general public. If you have a particular aim that you would like to address through nutrition, such as increased concentration, longer lasting energy, or building stronger bones, a nutritionist can help you to formulate a plan.

Of course, this option is not open to everybody and many people prefer to find their own way. Fortunately, the world is full of advice from many different perspectives. There are food blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts, recipe books, TV shows and more that can help you make your own decisions around food. The most important thing to remember is that everybody is different and that you should concentrate on what works for you.