What petrol is to a car, food is to a body. Different people require different types of diets. Likewise, the food that gives energy and stamina to men is different from those that women eat. You put the wrong kind and it shuts down.
Most often we don’t pay attention to what we are eating and eat whatever fills the belly. Then to make healthier changes, we resort to technical recipes which only sustain for a short duration and we are back to eating what’s in our sight.
As a result of eating the wrong foods, we are always exhausted, hungry, and prone to sickness.
Sigh!! Been there – done that.
Here are 11 foods that increase stamina, boosts energy levels, and are considered to be the best foods for the immune system.
1. Complex Carbohydrates
What are those? They are foods that provide vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are beneficial to our diet. For eg: Brown Rice, complex carbohydrates slowly release energy in your bloodstream thus resulting in optimized energy levels. They’re stamina foods.
Recipe: How to cook brown rice?
2. Bananas
The most ignored food in the fruit basket. Yet a superfood when it comes to your body’s immune levels.
Studies show that one medium banana, which is 7 to 8 inches long, has 2% of the recommended daily intake of five of the 11 nutrients: iron, zinc, vitamin A, selenium, and protein.
It also provides larger amounts of four other nutrients essential to normal immune response. Want food to increase your stamina for running? Have a Banana! Can’t get any simpler than that.
Did you know?
One medium banana supplies 11% of the recommended intake of vitamin C.
3. Peanuts
My dad used to call it a poor man’s cashew. Peanuts are very high in calories and the body takes time to digest them, hence making them an excellent energy source.
Did you know?
In the United States of America, peanuts are rarely eaten raw? It’s eaten in the form of peanut butter.
4. Ashwagandha (also known as Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng)
This Sanskrit word means ‘Smell of a horse”. This medicinal herb builds your strength naturally, ‘Like a stud’, show me someone who wouldn’t want that!
The easiest way to consume this herb is in powder form. Whip up Ashwagandha Banana smoothie and BAM! You have a power drink. It is a herb to increase immunity.
5. Shilajit (also known as Mumijo)
A 2012 study shows, that Shilajit improves cell functions and reduces fatigue. It naturally increases energy levels. A quick home remedy with Shilajit powder, mix it with water or milk and drink away. The Recommended dose of Shilajit is 300-500 mg per day. However, consult your doctor before starting it.
6. Coffee
No, prizes for guessing this. Lol. Much dreaded stimulant called Caffeine isn’t all that bad. Recent studies show that Caffeine causes resistance to fatigue.
7. Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Guess, it’s not always a good idea to ignore what elders tell us. New Studies at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shows us that soluble fibers found in apples reduce inflammation and boost the immune system naturally.
8. Strawberries
They are packed with Vitamin C, Fibre, and antioxidants. Reduces inflammation, improves our immune system, and Antioxidants in Strawberries fight fatigue and provide energy to our body. A healthy strawberry smoothie can be a good healthy breakfast.
9. Red Bell Peppers
Oranges have the most Vitamin C, right? WRONG!
Red Bell Peppers are laden with Vitamin C and antioxidants which reduces inflammation in the foods that boost immunity naturally.
Did you know? Red Bell Peppers have 3 times more Vitamin C than an orange.
10. Spinach
Spinach is a miracle green, which shields the immune cells of your body from damage thus boosting our immune system naturally. That’s not all, the antioxidants in spinach protect the enzymes that repair DNA damage.
A good tip to cook Spinach is don’t overcook it.
11. Yogurt
It’s the best ready-to-go snack for any age group. It’s loaded with Vitamin B and B12, carbs in yogurt which is in the form of simple sugars. Breakdown of the sugars releases energy into the bloodstream leaving us feeling energetic from the word Go.
Eating right doesn’t only feel good but also pays respect to the body that it deserves. Make sure you eat food that gives energy and stamina apart from those that just taste good. I am taking a vow to incorporate these foods into my everyday diet.
What about you?
