During holidays and times of celebration such as Christmas time, most people consume many more calories than their body needs. A calorie is a measurement for the amount of energy that is available in food. So why is it that after a few days or weeks of eating and drinking so many calories, you find yourself flagging in energy?
Immediately after eating you will need to rest to digest the food, which takes energy. Longer term excess food converted to excess body fat can be one of the reasons you continue to feel sluggish. But the quality of food you eat has an even greater effect. Foods that are high in calories, but low in nutrients will not provide all you need to feel energetic. You need nutrients such as the B vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Iron to produce energy, not just calories. Foods low in these nutrients such as sweet foods, fast foods, refined foods and alcohol will, after an initial short lift, leave you feeling low in energy. Alcohol will deplete you further of important nutrients as your body needs nutrients to break down the alcohol. The food you eat is of fundamental importance; if I do prescribe nutritional supplements I will use the Entire Katoa Food State supplement range for the best absorption and lowest effective and safe dose.
Most good detoxifying diets are designed to help your body by avoiding the high calorie-low nutrients foods, and emphasise foods high in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Water, another key feature in detox diets, is crucial to restore energy. Even mild dehydration will result in lethargy, and poor motivation to do anything. Many detox diet are recommended as short term help, but consider what foods you eat when you finish; the nutrients including water are still important. Sadly for many, eating normally means eating food that produces fatigue and serious ill health.
The quality and quantities of protein fats and carbohydrates you eat will also affect your energy levels. Research shows different people may do well on different amounts of ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrate. So a high carbohydrate diet may give some people boundless energy, but the same diet may leave others flagging. In a similar way a high protein diet can result in fatigue in some but the opposite in others. Metabolic Typing can be used to assess the best type of protein, fat and carbohydrate ratios for you.
Contact Bay Health Clinic today to book a consultation with one of our Naturopaths; if needed they will also prepare tailored herbal medicines and recommend supplements to help you feel your best. Call 07 571 3226 or email us: ask@bayhealth.nz
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