What foods you consume play a crucial role in producing stable energy levels, as well as maintaining your general health. Eating a diet that is lacking in vital nutrients can leave you feeling tired and lethargic, making it difficult to make the most of your day. Here’s how your diet could be making you tired:
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies are common in people with long-term health conditions and those eating a poor diet. Stress can also deplete levels of some vitamins and minerals in the body, leading to tiredness, lethargy, and a lowered immune system. Low levels of B vitamins, magnesium, iron, and manganese, can cause fatigue and related symptoms, such as brain fog and poor concentration. Nutritional supplements can be useful, but it’s essential to check with your doctor before taking supplements for the first time, especially if you are taking prescription medications, as they may not be suitable for some people.
Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels
Fluctuating levels of glucose in the blood can cause tiredness and lethargy. “Sugar, processed foods, and junk food can all cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar, leading to fatigue, headaches, and mood swings,” said Gabriel Patterson, Winnipeg nutrition expert. Cutting back on junk food and eating a balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and high-quality protein is crucial for stabilizing blood glucose levels.
Restrictive Diets
Diets that severely restrict calories or specific food groups can be unhealthy and leave you feeling tired, sluggish, or unwell. Cutting out carbohydrates or other major food groups can be counterproductive, as the body needs a balanced diet to thrive. Extreme calorie restriction can also be damaging for the body, and may even make it more challenging to lose weight.
Excessive Caffeine Intake
Caffeine can provide a short-term energy boost and temporarily increase your cognitive abilities. However, when used regularly or to excess, caffeine can increase levels of stress hormones in the body, resulting in low energy levels, anxiety, and other problems. Limiting your intake of coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other sources of caffeine is vital for long-term health.
Eating large meals or continuously snacking throughout the day are common causes of fatigue, as the digestive system has to work harder than usual to break down the food you have eaten. Eating smaller meals and limiting the number of snacks you eat will give your digestive system a break and improve your energy levels.
Food and diet play a crucial role in energy production, so it’s essential to look at your menu if fatigue or chronic tiredness is affecting your life. “Nutritional deficiencies, fluctuating blood sugar levels, restrictive diets, excessive caffeine intake, and overeating can all have a significant impact on your energy levels and even alter your emotional balance if not handled accordingly,” shared Gabriel Patterson, Winnipeg Health Coach.y
