Almost 10 years ago I discovered I had celiac disease. I had had the symptoms all my life, almost all of them digestive, but there was one I never thought was related to what I ate: chronic fatigue.
Once I received the diagnosis and stopped consuming gluten, what surprised me most was the amount of energy I had from the first day I stopped eating gluten, and the drop in energy when I made a mistake and ate it by accident.
Over the last decade, my energy level has continued to increase as I've become more careful with my diet and my body has healed.
I'm telling you this because, although I know not everyone has celiac disease, I do believe that, in general, we don't realize the importance of our diet on our energy levels. Therefore, if you feel constantly fatigued, you should examine your diet and habits and see if what you're eating is contributing to your energy levels or draining them.
Think about the foods that make you feel heavy, and those that make you feel light; increase the latter.
- Are there any foods that make you feel unwell? Have you tried eliminating them?
- How do you feel when you eat three meals, instead of snacking all day without a break?
- Do you wake up hungry, or still full? If you wake up full, you may not have digested the previous day's food properly.
- Do you eat enough? - This is also important because there are people who, even if they are not super thin, do not eat enough to have the necessary energy to face the day.
These questions can give you clues about how your diet is affecting your energy. Of course, if you have special needs, or you're always feeling unwell, you should consult a nutritionist before making major changes to your diet.
You can also add these foods to your diet, foods that, due to their nutrients, can help you have energy:
- Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, wholemeal sourdough bread
- Seasonal vegetables and fruit
- Healthy fats and proteins: seeds, nuts, legumes, eggs...
- Pre- and probiotic foods: natural pickles such as sauerkraut, kimchi, etc.
What are the foods that generally drain your energy?
- Ultra-processed foods
- Foods with added sugar, which give you an energy spike, but then crash.