Sometimes, the seductive aroma of a freshly poured Americano or Cappuccino is the only thing to get us through our mornings. But even we know that when it no longer picks you up and your teeth resemble the rough-handled major keys of The Dog and Duck’s piano, maybe you’ve had your fill.
It’s a known fact that what you eat in the mornings can have a profound effect on your energy levels throughout the day. The key here is that a bowl full of oats falls under the “low GI diet” category, where energy is released slowly from your food as it digests.
Rather than letting your body burn through a croissant like a wildfire, try a bowl of porridge oats and skimmed milk with slices of banana, and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Not only will it release energy gradually throughout the morning, but the cinnamon will help keep your heart healthy, too.
There’s no doubt about it – going for a 20 minute run in the mornings will help your energy levels soar. This is all because your body creates natural energising endorphins when exercising – something that’s duplicated by caffeine – but over shorter periods. So warm up beforehand, have a small snack with a banana, steadily drink a pint of water, get active, and you’ll stride into that 10am meeting with the utmost vim and vigour.
Coffee is a diuretic, meaning that it flushes liquid out of your system which makes you feel lethargic over a longer period of time. Fruit or herbal teas are mixed with virtuous, hydrating water, helping your major organs function more effectively whilst using less of your energy. Because if you’ve ever been a liver trying to expel the previous night’s Negroni consumption from a human body, then you’ll know how tiring it is.
Grabbing those greens such as spinach, kale and parsley, and blitzing them with some cucumber and honeydew melon is a surefire juice substitution for your joe. Green veg is another source of vitamin B3, which speeds up your metabolism so at its peak, your body can produce energy at a faster rate.
Like tea, not only do nuts have their health benefits, but they’re also high in Vitamin B3, especially Pecan nuts. This particular vitamin allows our bodies to access the energy in our food stores, so some mid-morning snacking will not only keep you awake, but stop your hands reaching for the coffee pot.
Still can’t kick the black habit? Seek out the best places to stop for a brew.
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