9 Foods That Will Boost Your Energy and Make You Active

Feeling low on energy? You might be lacking the essential minerals and vitamins. Here is a selection of top 9 foods for boosting your energy and being more active to get through your busy day.

Banana

An excellent post workout recovery food item, banana is a simple carbohydrate but an instant energy source. They are also an excellent source of potassium – reduced level of potassium in the body can result in physical weakness. The sugars found in banana can be digested quickly and converted right into energy for your body.

Lentils

Lentils must be a staple part of your daily diet. They’re rich in amino-acids, protein, minerals and vitamins, and can replace rice or pasta in almost any recipe. Lentils are also rich in fiber that keeps you at the peak of satiety and doesn’t allow glucose levels to rise to higher level. Give your lunch salad an energy boost by adding a cupful of cooked red kidney-beans or garbanzo beans.

Top 7 Foods for Better Sleep At Night

The adult person needs between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night, on average. However, many of us have trouble falling asleep, and insomnia affects millions of people worldwide. The health issues associated with insomnia and sleep deprivation are many, from a dysfunctional immune system to premature aging, weight gain and increased risk for heart disease. Fortunately, you can improve your night’s sleep without resorting to dangerous pills or supplements, as the secret lies in your diet. Here you will find 7 foods for better sleep at night:

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great snack before bed, as it is very rich in carbohydrates. As a matter of fact, oatmeal can be considered a win-win situation: they not only stimulate the natural production of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that elevates mood and makes you feel happy), but they are also a slower digesting food that will keep you full throughout the night. One of the reasons of poor night’s sleep is waking up in the middle of the night for a trip to the fridge and back – this will not be the case if you consume a medium-sized bowl of oatmeal before bed!

2. Chickpeas

Few people know that chickpeas are delicious and they contain high amounts of Vitamin B6, an essential vitamin for the production of melatonin. In a nutshell, melatonin is the hormone responsible with sleeping – if it is not produced in the correct amounts, you will not manage to fall asleep. Chickpeas stimulate the production of melatonin, therefore helping you fall asleep faster – and stay asleep until morning.