6 ways your "healthy diet" can leave you dragging

1) You've given up carbs

Carbohydrates are the most misunderstood type of food.

People say they're “giving up carbs” but in reality, if you did that, you would die...and most assuredly have very low energy before you keeled over.

Carbohydrates provide glucose which is needed by your body to create energy.  So you MUST have them to survive. 

The key is to know the good from the bad. 

Bad carbs include any type of refined carb like white bread, rolls, pasta, pastries, cakes and cookies and anything made with high fructose corn syrup. 

Good carbs are fresh vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and fresh fruit in moderation (1-2 servings a day).

2) You’ve sworn off red meat

Red meat has taken a bad rap because it contains saturated fat, and saturated fat has been associated with heart disease.

But all saturated fats are not created equal!

Saturated fats are needed by your body to make hormones, they cushion your nerves and even support your heart.

The truly deadly type of saturated fat is trans-fats.  Although they are slowly being phased out of our food supply, they are still found in several packaged foods so read labels carefully.

Red meat in moderation is a great source of iron and vitamin B12--and being deficient in either of those nutrients can cause your energy to plummet.

If you're vegetarian, then being low in B12 may be an issue for you.  This is also true of people who use acid reducers, the elderly and people who have had gastric surgery.

If you have B12 concerns and want to supplement, an oral B12 spray like Hydroxaden 2.5 is your ticket.

3) You think low fat is where it’s at

Many people think all fats are bad and avoid them like the plague.

But what they don't realize is that fats create energy!  They're a crucial player in your body's ability to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is your main form of energy.   

Again, you must know the good from the bad. 

Bad fats include all sources of trans-fats, fake fats, highly refined oils and margarine.

Good fat sources are real butter, lard, olive oil, meat, eggs and dairy (preferably organic), fish (preferably wild-caught) and unrefined oils.   

4) You eat 3 meals a day

You may be thinking you're doing the right thing by eating 3 meals a day.

But your body may be thinking otherwise.

Fact is, some people experience a drop in blood sugar within 2 hours after eating and if you don't have a snack, that can cause your energy to drop through the floor. 

Now, this isn't a green light to attack the vending machine for chips or candy!  Choose smart snacks like fresh fruit, vegetables, a small chunk of cheese, a handful of nuts, a hard-boiled egg or a small piece of leftover meat, chicken or fish.

5) You’re a salad maniac

Salad can be a very healthy food choice, but some people overdo it--to the point where they lack essential nutrients (especially proteins).

And proteins...you guessed it...are needed for energy production too!

If you love salads, great, but make them as nutritious as possible to ensure your body is getting what it needs to keep YOU going.

Smart, tasty additions to salads include:

• ~Grilled shrimp or salmon
• ~Cheese
• ~Chopped almonds or walnuts
• ~Hard-boiled egg slices
• ~Chick peas

And while we're on the salad topic--stay far away from reduced fat or fat-free dressings!  (If you’re wondering why, go re-read #3 above.) 

6) You eat the typical balanced meal

This is far and away the biggest dietary energy zapper.

The typical smorgasbord-type meals that most people eat are VERY difficult for your body to break down efficiently.

Nothing the human body does demands more energy than digestion, so if you have fireworks down below after eating, you can count on being exhausted too. 

Keep your meals simple—avoid combining proteins and starches in the same meal.  Instead pair proteins OR starches with vegetables and a salad.  I guarantee you’ll see a difference immediately, in both your level of gas and level of energy!

If you need more guidance on food combining, check out Great Taste No Pain.

Another thing to consider—STRESS

Chronic stress can cause your adrenal glands to repeatedly secrete stress hormones which can eventually result in adrenal exhaustion.

And when your adrenals are exhausted, trust me, so are YOU!

Being in a prolonged state of stress depletes your body of its vitamins and minerals, and causes harm to your friendly gut flora, which weakens your immune system function.

Do whatever you need to do to de-stress—even taking a brisk walk can help. 

And remember to repopulate your beneficial gut bacteria with an outstanding multi-strain probiotic like Super Shield.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia