Try these ways to energy in place of coffee!
If all of that hustle and bustle during the middle of the day has you racing to the nearest coffee shop for a pick me up, you may want to consider these alternatives.
Coffee Alternatives:
Carob is originally from the eastern Mediterranean region and the western part of Asia. Carob comes in the form of beans or powder. Instead of reaching for coffee every time you feel down, try a mixture of Carob. Two teaspoons of carob powder contains about 48 calories. Carob powder has zero fat and 1 g of protein per serving. Carob powder also has 11 g of carbohydrates with 2 g of fiber within two teaspoons. Keeping a hideaway of caffeine-free carob powder in your pantry is a quick and easy way to get energized. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweetened carob powder tastes just as lip smacking mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and stops you from experiencing an awful energy crash mid-day. One of the best things about Carob is it’s alkaline forming, which is great for energy and your body’s ph balance.
Pure pomegranate juice is another delectable energy supporter and can be smoothly incorporated into any beverage. Pomegranate is great on it’s own or in a homemade smoothie. Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants as well as natural stimulants. For a tasty pick-me-up.
Flax seed oil is another awesome energy booster. Flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy vitamins, it contains three primary components: Omega-3 essential fatty acids – Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s, Lignans – flaxseed contains 750-800 times more lignans than other plant foods, and fiber – flaxseed includes both the soluble and insoluble forms.
Energy Bars:
If you’re not a coffee drinker and still find yourself completely spent by mid-day, try an organic energy bar.
Opting for energy bars containing organic ingredients can add healthy boosts of energy. Energy bars containing Omega 3 Chai, an ancient and nutritious seed, with other organic superfoods and high-energy herbal extracts is a great natural energizer. You can also find vegan energy bars as well. Look for a bar with a honey sweetener instead of high fructose corn syrup. A great tasting energy bar that will pack a punch may have fruits, nuts, and a dash of sea salt. All ingredients should be identifiable from nature and not packed with MSG’s or syrups. An example of a great tasting energy bar is the Clif Bar Energy Bar, which is 70% organic and has sustainable energy.
And, last but, definitely not least, try some good old fashioned exercise to get you going.
Exercise:
Exercise fights fatigue and boosts energy, according to WebMD, more than stimulants can. Lacing up your tennis shoes and getting out to do some physical activity every morning can provide that spark of energy that people are looking for.” Dr. Tim Puetz, PhD, from University of Georgia admits. Try to get 30 minutes a day, and if you can’t hit the gym due to all of the cooking, cleaning, and soccer practices, try a few dumbbell squats and running up and down the stairs to get your heart rate pumping. If you’ve just put the little one down for a nap, you could pop in a great yoga dvd and use that 30 minute nap time wisely.
References: FoodReference, WebMD, WebMD