Do you know the crash-and-burn feeling that comes with drinking one-too-many cups of coffee in the morning? To avoid that, you can opt for some healthy, energizing foods instead! It’s no secret that caffeine can have an addictive quality, especially for those who are accustomed to drinking a cup or more a day. It may be satisfying in the moment, but it can affect your body tremendously. Increased heart rate, depleted adrenal levels, restlessness, and nausea are just a few of the negative effects associated with caffeine overconsumption.

While it’s completely fine to drink caffeine-heavy beverages in moderation, they ultimately won’t give you the boundless energy you’re looking for. Eating a well-balanced, sustainable, healing, and whole-foods diet is truly the best way to create long-lasting energy. It will keep you feeling enlivened for hours. Here are some of our favorite healthy foods that are sure to give your energy levels the boost they need.

Yummy Breakfast Foods That Help With Energy

Too many people reach for the immediate cup of coffee in the morning instead of a well-balanced, nourishing breakfast. Nourishment comes first! Choosing to prepare a whole-food breakfast – instead of the instant gratification that caffeine offers – means long-lasting and sustainable energy. When you drink coffee on an empty stomach, it can cause nausea and negatively impact your blood sugar levels. Opt for these delicious meals instead:

• Overnight or cooked steel-cut oats
  Easy to prepare and delicious! Oats can be bulked up with your favorite organic nut butter, sweetener of choice, cinnamon, and fresh fruit! Consider topping with bananas for an extra energy-boosting addition.
• Avocados
  Avocado toast for breakfast is always a classic go-to. Rich in healthy fats, avocados also help your body absorb necessary nutrients. This means you’ll feel more energized and fuller for longer! For extra protein, you can also top it with a pasture-raised egg.
• Yogurt
  The sugars found in yogurt break down to provide you with long-lasting, ready-to-use energy. For vegan or non-dairy options, you can opt for coconut yogurt, too! Yogurt also contains thousands of probiotics for optimal gut health. Pair with some fruit and hemp seeds!

Cure Midday-Slump With Whole Foods

Lunchtime is also a time of day when you may feel your energy levels drop significantly. Commonly known as the midday slump, this is yet another opportunity to reach for caffeine instead of a whole-foods meal. For lunch, you may consider:

• Brown rice
  Brown rice is a dense, satisfying, and deeply enriching carb that makes for an excellent lunch option. Prepare brown rice for the week for a more easeful lunch experience! Pair with protein and veggie of choice, and you’ll have sustained energy.
• Hummus
  Hummus is an excellent source of complex carbs and fiber! A hummus sandwich, or snack throughout the day will keep your energy levels up.
• Lentils
  Just one cup of lentils contains over 15 grams of fiber. Lentils are an energy-rich superfood. They will satisfy you greatly when you feel the familiar drowsiness come on around lunchtime. Lentil soup or even a lentil salad are some great options!

Wind-Down Around Dinnertime

Around dinnertime, you’ll want to begin to slowly come down from the business of the day, so this is a perfect time for more hearty, fulfilling, and denser foods. For a satisfying dinner, here are some superfoods that will heal your energy levels:

• Sweet potatoes
  Delicious when roasted whole, or even when made into satisfying sweet-potato fries! This grounding root vegetable is packed with Vitamin C, magnesium, and iron.
• Oysters
  An amazing source of low-fat protein, oysters are packed with the nutrients that help your body ward off sickness and unwanted germs. Oysters can boost dopamine and are rich in zinc, which helps regulate hormone levels. Imbalanced hormones greatly affect your levels of energy.
• Chicken
  Chicken may seem simple, but it’s anything but! An organic, pasture-raised chicken contains crucial A, D, and E Vitamins, as well as essential omega-3s. Roast a whole chicken with lemon, garlic, and sea salt and you’ll have a deliciously nourishing dinner to complete your day.

Feel Amazing Without the Crutch of Caffeine

Are you searching for a little extra support to let go of caffeine and create a sustainable, energy-supplying, whole-foods diet? Reach out to speak with one of our consultants at Z.E.N. Foods. For a peek into one of our delicious, hand-crafted menus, take a look at our sample menu here. We want you to feel great, energized, and enlivened, with zero effort.