The reason why I don’t like to rely on stimulants for energy is this: They make you go through things your body otherwise wouldn’t allow you to. Think about how different life would be if we actually did listen to the body daily, instead of forcing it, manipulating it, and tricking it with stimulants.
The examples below don’t try to trick the body- they help you to release the energy you already have within you. They do this while nourishing you, taking care of you, helping you to lose weight if need be, feed you, nurture you. There are others- from fermented foods to cruciferous vegetables. I am listing only a handful of my favourite go-tos here.
1. Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens have an important role in Ayurvedic cooking, and with good reason. They’re hydrating, nutrient-rich, and when prepared while fresh, they contain prana, or life-supporting energy. If you prefer to consume them raw, try to do this when Agni, the metabolic fire, is at its strongest- 10am-2 pm. If your digestion is not optimal, it might be too trying to consume them raw, so watch for signs of weak digestion, such as gas or increased Vata. You might also consider food combining, and eating the raw veggies separately. I usually advice my clients who would like to add raw veggies to their diet to start slow, eat whatever raw veggies they like, but in small quantities, as an afternoon snack. Dark leafy greens are especially helpful to my weight-loss clients, because they help to increase Glucagon-lie-Peptide-1 hormone that keeps blood sugar steady, and keep one more satisfied.
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2. Nuts + Seeds
I LOVE nuts and seeds. They’re my go-to snacks in the afternoon. They are full of nutrients, and yes, fats and calories, BUT, they are also a prime example of how calorie in-calorie out is more complex than we think: Research shows that your body doesn’t absorb all of the calories, as a portion of fat stays trapped within the nut’s fibrous wall during digestion (see here, here, and here). In summary, they are super filling, satisfying, energy-producing, and yummy, but they promote weight maintenance/loss, rather than contributing to weight gain!
Still, if you are trying to lose weight, keep the number of nuts you eat to a maximum of approximately 25 pieces and seeds to one shot glass full. For some constitutions, but might be too “heating”, for some others, they are simply too hard to digest- in either case, stick to seeds. you might also consider soaking them to make them easier to digest.
3. Root Vegetables
I advise my weight-loss clients to eat most of their grains and/or root veggies at lunch so the body has all day to use up the energy from them! Root vegetables are great sources of complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They tend to be lower than grains in calories, have a lower glycemic index load, and cause fewer digestive or inflammatory issues than many grains do. One of my favourite root veggies is parsnips: Pureed, air-fried, roasted. Along with Vitamin C and potassium, parsnips provide folate, which is important for energy, metabolism, nervous system health, synthesis of DNA, and red blood cell formation.
4. Herbs
I LOVE my herb garden. I keep bragging about it on Instagram. One of the herbs I have in the garden is holy basil, also known as Tulsi. It calms the mind and spirit and promotes longevity. Traditionally, it is used to improve energy relieve fatigue, and provide relief from mild depression. Although not an “Ayurvedic” herb, schizandra is another one of my go-to to improve energy and stamina in general and relieve anxiety. Aside from these, ginseng, sage, guarana, bacopa monnieri, ashwagandha, and even peppermint and rosemary, might all be helpful. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that every individual (and each context) is different. Please do seek professional advice before starting a new regimen with herbs.
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Editor’s note: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programme.
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