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foods that make you sluggish
For those who frequently find themselves feeling sluggish during the week, it’s easy to point the blame on lack of sleep. To run like a well-oiled machine, we need sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet. If you are getting plenty of sleep but just not feeling 100% during the day, it might have something to do with your diet. It isn’t as farfetched as you may think! Put the snack down and read on to see the kinds of foods that make you sluggish.
Foods That Make You Sluggish
Bagels, Donuts, and Muffins
It may well be that our favorite breakfast items could be doing the opposite of what they’re supposed to! You wake up well rested, and these three bad guys instantly ruin the good vibes. What makes them so dangerous? The high amounts of sugar and refined carbs. A single bagel has an average of 9 grams of sugar. That’s just over two teaspoons and more than most people put in their coffee! For a food that isn’t labeled as sweet, it’s sure a shocker. Donuts are even higher; as most are laced with a delightful coating of frosting and sprinkles. These three are amongst some of the most popular foods that make you sluggish.
Once any of these three killers hit your system, insulin and blood sugar levels spike which gives you a short burst of energy. After the burst, you’ll quickly sink into a sluggish slump. The bummer is that the slump is even lower than where you were before the food. Because bagels, donuts, and muffins are all predominately bread, you’ll find yourself getting hungrier faster than if you had consumed a protein based meal. That is why these are foods that make you sluggish. Instead of reaching for one of those items with your morning cup of Joe, opt for steel cut oats, a banana or yogurt. Tasty and filling!
Sub Sandwiches & Soda
A yummy sandwich paired with an ice cold soda is a lunch break paradise. Sorry to break the bad news to you, but each of those items are foods that make you sluggish as you head into the final stretch of the day. Most sandwiches are loaded with sodium and are typically high in MSGs. Studies show that MSG messes with your body’s natural ability to regulate insulin, which again leads to a high spike and low crash. Insulin also regulates your body’s metabolism which plays a significant part in energy. Not to mention the large portions of bread that hold all of the naughty ingredients in. Like the killer breakfast trio, sugar is sneaking up to bring you down.
Regular and diet sodas have a naughty hidden ingredient; aspartame. Diet soda makers use this sugar imposter to make up for the flavor notes that standard sugar provides. Dozens of studies have highlighted the various negative impacts that aspartame has on one’s system. Emotional disorders and diabetes in particular. Commonly found in energy drinks, its benefits are short lived and force you to keep coming back for more. Get your lunchtime fix by digging into a leafy green salad topped with the protein of your choice. Slug down some water and leave that soda in the cooler! Pop as a whole isn’t kind to your teeth and could lead to gum disease. Skip it and save the calories! Want to promote healthy digestion? A splash of lemon will do just that. Soda is in the midst of the worst foods that make you feel sluggish.
Read More: The Dangers of Diet Soda You Need To Know
Red Wine
Oh, no! Not that! Wine boasts many health benefits and can reduce your risk of a heart attack when consumed in moderation. Sadly, wine sends your energy packing. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system which leads to you feeling beat. Insomnia is a known side effect of alcohol consumption and that obviously does your energy situation no favors. Try a green smoothie instead!
Dark Chocolate
Between the wine mentioned above and what you’re about to read, the pieces of the sluggish puzzle may finally be coming together. Dark chocolate is widely considered the healthier of the available selections, and that is completely true! Although, dark chocolate has high levels of serotonin, which tells your brain to calm down and relax. If you can’t afford to be sleepy, switch to milk chocolate.
Combat Sluggish Foods
Looking for a quick energy boost to combat some bad diet choices you’ve made today? Grab a handful of almonds, a spoonful of peanut butter or a banana. The sweet spot for energizing snacks is one that is loaded with fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates (instead of reformed). Adding some healthy fats like avocado will slow the sugar rush as it hits your metabolism. Walnuts are also an excellent choice for getting a salty fix that does a whole lot of good for your body.
Also Read: Health Benefits of Bananas
How to Avoid Foods That Make You Sluggish
It’s not nearly as hard as you may think. A good way to start is by trying to cut out foods that are heavy in reformed carbs and opt for ones with complex carbs instead. The biggest offenders are candies, pizza, and sodas. Watch out for unassuming foods with high sugar content! Dry fruit, barbecue sauce, and granola bars fit the qualifications. Indulge in alcohol in moderation and try to avoid drinking earlier in the day. Stay true to whole foods and eat up to get your daily servings of fruits and veggies in. The fewer the ingredients on the label, the more likely it is to be a healthier choice. As with everything in life, a little bit is okay, but moderation is key!
Also Read: 6 Exotic Fruits You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Healthy Starts Slowly
Start slowly and take baby steps as you change your diet. Swap one or two things for healthier choices, and you’ll set a foundation for new eating habits. Head to the grocery store and stock up on nuts, fruits, and veggies. Addressing the foods you choose to snack on is the easiest way to start. By choosing to ditch these energy draining food and drinks, you’ll be a more vibrant you! The midday slump will no longer get you down, and you are likely to lose a few pounds in the process. What will you do with all of that extra energy?
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