With deadlines to meet, after work cocktails, frequent dining out, late nights and early mornings it’s easy to forget how simple it is to take control of your health. The following tips will outline some simple ways to enhance your everyday health, boost your metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, increase brain function and start feeling powerful from the inside out.
Start Your Day Off Right, Eat Breakfast
Eating breakfast is important for sustaining energy levels and aiding in blood sugar management.
Choose a healthy breakfast that is:
• high in complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, cereals, fruits, vegetables)
• high in fiber (whole grains cereals and breads and ground flax)
• rich in protein (nuts, seeds, soy milk, organic milk and yogurt, eggs, protein powders)
• and provides good fats (nuts, seeds, healthy oils like extra virgin olive, flax and coconut)
Don’t Rely On Coffee!
Excess coffee overloads your liver, dehydrates you (coffee is a diuretic) and increases the risk of blood sugar irregularities (afternoon energy dips sound familiar?). Your liver is the body’s detoxifying organ and if overloaded, your chances for disease, sluggishness and weight gain will increase. Try to decrease coffee or eliminate it altogether. There are some great coffee alternatives on the market. You can also enjoy herbal teas: dandelion root (liver detox), ginseng (energy), oolong (weight loss), green tea (concentration), and peppermint (stomach ease).
Stay Hydrated
This step is as easy as carrying a stainless steel or glass water bottle with you. Count how many times you fill it up. At least 8 glasses of water a day will keep your energy levels high, your hunger down, your digestion smooth and your concentration sharp. When we are dehydrated, our bodies often mistake this feeling for hunger. Make sure to not drink water before meals as this can hinder digestion. Drink 20 minutes before and 30 minutes after. Also, try and drink