There’s nothing easy about dealing with the symptoms of fatigue – especially when it comes to maintaining a beneficial dietary plan. When exhaustion plagues you every moment of every day, it’s common to find yourself suffering from sugar and caffeine cravings that simply won’t go away. In addition, most of us end up succumbing to one unhealthy food type or another as we try to find some food source that will provide just the tiniest bit of energy to keep us going for another hour or two.

In the end, though, that battle is a no-win situation. No one suffering from fatigue ever manages to quell those cravings while at the same time providing the type of energy that doesn’t leave him even more tired once the initial burst of vitality fades. So, what is the best solution? Is there a solution for this seemingly insurmountable problem? Superfoods may be just the answer you need.

What are Superfoods?

The term “superfoods” might seem a little off-putting at first. After all, most of us are naturally reluctant to accept wild claims – and referring to anything as “super” is about as wild as it gets. In this case, however, that term simply refers to the nutritional aspects of the food types in question. And make no mistake: they are nutritional.

So, what is a superfood, anyway? Simply put, superfoods are foods and natural additives that are packed with the nutrients you need to boost energy, renew vitality, and promote better health. They’re nature’s best dietary medicine, and can often serve as an alternative to many of those synthetic supplement products you see so many people using on a daily basis. In fact, most nutritional experts tend to agree that it is always preferable for nutrients to come from the foods you eat, since that is the natural process for which our bodies are designed.

The Best Superfoods:

Thought the term “superfoods” is often used as a marketing ploy to describe any of a number of more exotic food choices that contain dense nutrients, the reality is that there are more commonly known foods that qualify as well. Since poor nutrition is such a major factor in fatigue, most patients can experience an increase in energy by incorporating these well-known foods into their dietary regimen.

Superfoods You Know

These common foods have been, at different points in history, a key part of many people’s dietary plans. The advent of modern food production has led to less healthy alternatives taking their place in much of the developed world.

• Oats. Yes, the humble and eminently affordable oat grain is one of nature’s most powerful energy boosters. Rolled oats are especially dense with nutrients, providing a sizeable portion of magnesium for energy, as well as hefty doses of fiber, protein, iron, and potassium. Start off your day with oats for breakfast, and you’ll immediately notice the difference!
• Bananas. This is one of the most underrated fruits, since so many people believe them to be too high in sugar to eat on a regular basis. And yet, many athletes swear by them – and the performance results seem to back up their claims. Like oats, they have a large amount of magnesium. They also have critical B vitamins that can help normalize blood sugar. They also digest slowly over time, ensuring a healthy supply of energy for hours after the meal. Try them with your oats.
• Yogurt. Yogurt isn’t just for dieting. This little concoction contains probiotics for the digestive tract, carbohydrates for energy, and the protein you need to effectively use both! Better yet, yogurt makes a great snack to pick you up when your energy levels are low, since it is one of those food types that your body can process fairly quickly.
• Beans. Beans have high fiber content, complex carbs, and protein. They are also packed with the minerals you need for good health. And like oats, they have a low glycemic index, so they burn slowly over time – helping to avoid spikes in your blood sugar levels.
• The best of the rest: You can also incorporate foods like walnuts, cashews, raisins, apples, figs, and oranges to get not only a burst of energy but critical vitamins as well. Wild rice and virtually every leafy green vegetable can provide the same benefits. As a general rule, almost any whole food you add to your diet is going to provide a more consistent level of energy when compared to the processed foods most of us consume on a daily basis.

Superfoods That May be New to You

And then there are the superfoods that receive so much of the media’s attention. In most cases, you may not have ever heard of these food choices.

• Maca. Maca is a rot powder that comes from South America. It’s popular with a lot of vegans and vegetarians since it is a plant source for all twenty of the essential amino acids you need in your diet. It also plays a role as an adaptogen, and can help the body manage stress and enhance hormone function. That hormonal stabilization is one of its most powerful features, since the hormones end up playing such an outsize role in nearly all fatigue issues.
• Cacao. High in B vitamins, fiber, zinc, and protein, this handy food also contains greater amounts of critical iron than you can find in a serving of most meats! It is also extremely rich in magnesium, which is so important for stress management, metabolic normalization, and balancing blood sugar. Just use it in cocoa’s place and watch your energy levels soar.
• Chia seeds. Sure, you remember the pets – but do you really know the seeds? Ancient soldiers and other warriors often relied on these seeds for energy and as nutrition during long marches. They have abundant supplies of vitamin B, calcium, iron, magnesium, and those amino acids you need for sound health. Mix them with oatmeal, in a shake, or just munch on them throughout the day.

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Putting it All Together

Of course, there’s more to utilizing superfoods than just randomly throwing any of these foods into your meal plan. To make the most out of each, you have to follow some basic principles:

1. Throw out the processed foods! Eat whole foods wherever possible, and try to avoid those pre-packaged, heavily-processed products that the manufacturers flood our stores with. They’re usually stripped almost entirely of nutrients, which is why you see labeling like “fortified with…” added to the packaging. They’re so processed that they actually have to go back in and add artificial nutrients to them after they’re done!
2. Skip the caffeine. It disrupts your natural energy levels, and can lead to crashes at different points of the day.
3. Protein! Do not skimp on the lean protein. Your body needs it not only for muscle growth and maintenance, but to assist with a variety of energy-related functions!
4. Forget sugars. There are enough natural sweets in the world; don’t disrupt your blood sugar with infusions of fast-burning sugary foodstuffs.
5. Stay hydrated. Water is important, since your body relies on it to deliver nutrients to the cells.

Above all else, stay committed to your health. Once you’ve seen your energy levels depleted, it can take months and even years to regain complete health. The reward, however, is well worth whatever effort is required. So eat healthy, stay active, and remember to eat these superfoods for maximum energy-boosting results.