Well, have you made your resolutions yet? I never have to come up with new ones, since my resolutions have not changed much in the last fifteen years: exercise more, lose weight, eat less chocolate, be more organized, etc. Losing weight seems to be a common denominator among many people. So many fad diets are out there, especially around this time of year, it is sometimes impossible to know who to trust or believe. Take the Atkins diet, for example. Any diet that forbids pasta, rice, or potatoes is not up for consideration in my house. And really, how realistic is that diet anyway? A rib-eye may taste better, but isn't it just common sense to know that carrots are better for you? I am suspicious that the reason people lose weight on the Atkins program is because they get tired of eating all that meat. After the initial thrill of eating unlimited amounts of fat, people decide that if they cannot have a biscuit with their sausage, they would just assume eat nothing.
A few years ago, I added "Get more energy" to my regular list of resolutions. After research and experimentation, I discovered that getting more energy is an easy and attainable goal. Interested? It is not a secret diet, and you don't have to call a 1-800 number with your credit card handy to obtain this information.
If you want to feel more energetic than you have in years, maybe more than you ever have, just focus on eating high energy foods. Eat only the freshest fruits and vegetables, as close to their natural state as possible. Use oil, and butter in moderation. Try to limit red meat to once or twice a week; eat chicken and fish a few times a week; opt for vegetarian main courses to fill in the gaps. Drink lots of pure water, limit caffeine as much as possible, lay off the soda and sugary fruit juices. Limit or exclude white flour, and white sugar. If you are rolling your eyes, remind yourself what foods are served at the Mayo Clinic. What about spa food? People check themselves into those places, sure to be pampered, but also to have world famous chef's prepare fresh, low-fat dishes. The less the chef's "do" to the food, the better it is for the body.
The point is, most of us know what to do to be more healthy, or to lose weight. I am not saying it is easy; I am just saying we know what to do. The hard part is in the doing. While you are considering what diet to go on, or which group to join, consider incorporating the following ultra-high energy foods into your diet. These foods are not only loaded with every vitamin and mineral imaginable (and many I have never even heard of), but they are also packed with anti-oxidant properties, many proven to fight cancer and all sorts of other ailments. Below is a list of what is considered by many experts to be the top groups of food that will ensure your body's peak performance
It might help to cut out the High Energy Foods list, and post it on your refrigerator, or wherever you are most likely to notice it. When you are making your grocery list, just be conscious of these foods. If you are making salad a few nights this week, purchase some leafy green lettuce, as opposed to iceberg. At the very least, mix in some leafy greens with your iceberg. Instead of dessert, serve fresh fruit. Use whole wheat bread for your sandwiches. Instead of snacking on chips, try some nuts or sunflower seeds. All of this may sound commonsensical, but sometimes the plainest things are the most difficult to see. Try incorporating these High Energy Foods into your diet for two weeks, and see if you notice a difference. And please, let me know!!
HIGH ENERGY FOODS
* Orange, red, and yellow vegetables
* Orange, red, and yellow fruits
* Leafy green vegetables (the greener, the better)
* Garlic, onions, shallots
* All varieties of mushrooms
* Beans and other legumes
* Whole grains
* Tofu and other soy products
* Nuts and seeds
Adlen Robinson is a free lance food writer and columnist. Feel free to send her an email with your questions at [email protected].
Monday
August 4th, 2025
9:52PM
