Have you found yourself asking “why am I so tired?” lately? If that’s the case, have you considered what you’re eating on a daily basis? Energy is something that every college student is lacking right now as they get into the swing of things and late-night studying is most definitely not helping. What would you say if there was a way to combat your tiredness and have more energy throughout the day? VALLEY is here to guide you to consuming energy fueled food!
It is important to note these are simply suggestions based on research gathered. Each body requires different amounts of energy and other nutritional macros and micros.
Vitamins and Supplements
A daily multivitamin or B12 is something that should be on everyone’s shelf, especially if you’re in college. According to Healthline, “B12 helps transform the food you eat into energy your cells can use.” They also state that B12 “keeps your body’s nerves and blood cells healthy and helps prevent a type of anemia that can make you weak and tired.”
Taking B12 and/or a multivitamin at the start of every day can be a real game-changer. You can find B12 or your average multivitamins at almost any grocery store or pharmacy in various forms.
Meal Prep
As college students it might be hard to have a regular eating schedule, but the closer you can get to that the sooner you will feel more energized. In an article written by Harvard Medical School, they suggest eating small, frequent meals rather than 3 larger ones. They suggest this because “this approach can reduce your perception of fatigue because your brain, which has very few energy reserves of its own, needs a steady supply of nutrients.”
Adding in that a few nuts or pieces of fruit every so often will help you get by. On top of this, they go on to say that it is important to “eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of unrefined carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, with an emphasis on vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils.” VALLEY has some suggested college-approved foods that will fill you with energy.
Foods That Will Keep You Up
Bananas. As mentioned before B12 and any B vitamin are great sources of energy and it can be found in our everyday foods. For starters, bananas are an excellent food to avoid getting sluggish. As mentioned in healthline.com “they’re an excellent source of complex carbs, potassium, and vitamin B6, all of which can help boost your energy levels.” Try sneaking in a banana before your 9 a.m. next time.
Eggs. Eggs are probably one of the easiest foods to get your hands on and also happen to be full of protein, vitamins and amino acids. Healthline states “they’re packed with protein, which can give you a steady and sustained source of energy.” Sustained is the keyword here. Eating eggs regularly is affordable and energy-boosting. Add spinach in them for another boost.
Alternative caffeine. Although it is alright to have coffee every so often, try out different sources of caffeine for more sustainable energy. Alternatives such as Yerba Mate, Matcha, or green tea are more sustainable sources of caffeine. Healthline goes on to say “the caffeine in yerba maté promotes the production of the hormone epinephrine, which increases energy. However, unlike other stimulants, yerba maté does not seem to affect blood pressure or heart rate.” Coffee will give you that initial boost of alertness but can cause you to crash. Try out something different next time.
Oats. Oats are one of the best unrefined carbohydrates you can get your hands on. They are whole grain and provide you with long-lasting energy. Secondly, filled with vitamins and minerals that are essential to feeling your best. The great thing about them is that you can use them in various ways and customize them to taste how you like. Oatmeal is fairly cheap for those that are staying on that college budget. Try making overnight oats, instant oarsor even adding them into a smoothie or pancake.
Tag us, @VALLEYmag, if you try any of these energy-boosting foods!
