There could be many reasons behind your lack of energy – and your doctor can help rule out other causes – but one significant possibility could be what is on (or missing from) your plate.
Kids First
As a parent, at some point most of us have a few things down pat. (Mainly) healthy food habits probably count as one of them – for the kids. We instill in our young ones the importance making good food choices, purge the pantry of sugar- and salt-filled snacks, and pack balanced lunches … and generally kids follow suit. But how many of us are actually running on optimal fuel most of the time?
No Time for Me
In spite of the barrage of information we receive about healthy eating, many moms, whether we work outside the home or not, often feel too rushed and frazzled to make time to prepare nutritionally balanced meals for ourselves, especially since many of us also aren’t regularly sitting down to eat with the kids (which is beneficial for both parent and child). High stress levels also can contribute to the emotional reasons behind bad food choices. And even moms who enjoyed nearly perfect pre-kids diets and who ate well during disciplined pregnancies can fall off the wagon, once the daily stress of motherhood kicks in.
Even if you enjoy a pretty healthy diet, bad habits like eating on the run, overindulging in alcoholic beverages and skipping meals can sabotage health and fitness goals and lead to weight gain and negative health consequences. Ilyse Schapiro, a registered dietitian and certified dietitian/nutritionist with offices in Harrison, N.Y. and Greenwich, Conn. (ilyseschapironutrition.com), says, “I’m such a big believer in having breakfast and then eating every three to four hours throughout the day. This keeps your blood sugar stable and prevents overeating later on.”
And if you’ve gotten into the habit of absentmindedly munching on chicken fingers, pizza and cake aboard the merry-go-round of children’s birthday parties, it may be time for a dietary tune-up. Adds Schapiro, “In general, I think it is a good idea to avoid processed food as much as possible. I also am a big believer in cutting out artificial sweeteners, whether it is in diet soda, or something you use to sweeten your tea or coffee, or even yogurt. There is research that they make you crave more sweets and prevent you from losing weight.”
What to Eat?
So what exactly should we be eating? “Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein,” says Schapiro. “Berries are great for you because they are full of fiber and antioxidants. I also love apples. I find them very filling, a great snack and very portable. With dinner, I love roasting broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant and artichoke hearts. Stick to lean protein such as chicken or fish and keep red meat to one time per week or less. I also suggest having eggs or egg whites, Greek yogurt and nuts.”
For moms looking for a way to jumpstart weight loss or get a nutritional boost without having to fire up the blender or the stove, White Plains organic juice bar and clean-food café Lilli Pilli Health Bar (lillipillihealth.com) offers juice cleanses, which, according to café marketer and web developer Chris Powell, “can help regulate your weight if you follow the regimen.” Powell also recommends the café’s fresh, cold-pressed green lemonade. “If you’re looking for a good boost of energy, this is really flavorful and refreshing and gives your body the nutrition it’s looking for.” He also highlights the stir-fry bowl and harvest sweet potato meals as standouts for busy moms on the go. How’s that for a taste of motivation?
Terri Prettyman Bowles is a Westchester-based writer, editor and content producer.
