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When you ask most people what they wish they had more of throughout the day, one of the leading responses is always energy. Lots of things in life zap our energy, including stress, poor nutrition, not getting enough exercise, and chronic health conditions—all of which affect daily wellness. However, one of the best (and easiest) ways to feel full-of-life from morning to night is to add superfoods to your diet, which boost your nutrition without a hassle or major commitment.
All superfoods will enhance how you feel in some way, but some really help you go the extra mile…or at least feel like you could! So, if you’re looking to feel a bit more energetic, here are the three superfoods to consider including more of in your diet.
1. Maca
If you can only add one superfood to your regular diet for more energy, you may want to make it maca. Maca is an amazing adaptogen that helps you fight stress—an important feature considering stress is one of the biggest causes of energy loss throughout the day. Also called Peruvian Ginseng, maca supports your body’s natural resilience and boosts the function of your endocrine system, making this ingredient the perfect food for an energizing breakfast.
Navitas’ easy-to-digest Maca Powder comes from finely milled whole maca root that has been slow-dried at low temperatures. It can be added to pancake batter, cereals, nut butters, and yogurt to give your favorite meals a superfood punch. Other fun ways to incorporate more maca into your days is to embrace the smoothie trend and whip up an energizing Pitaya Maca Smoothie Bowl or a Crazy Monkey Smoothie for breakfast or as a quick pick-me-up snack.
2. Matcha
If you’re looking for a healthier and more nutrient-rich alternative to coffee, look no further than matcha. This superfood is a finely ground powder made from high-quality green tea leaves packed with a delicate tea-like flavor and high nutrient density. In fact, just one cup of matcha has the antioxidant and nutritional content of about 10 full glasses of regular green tea!
Matcha is a top pick for energy because it contains both caffeine and L-theanine to provide your body with calm energy and focus. The caffeine content of matcha is minimal (only 16 mg per serving), which is just enough to get you going in the morning without making you jittery. Meanwhile, the L-theanine balances your body out by helping you remain calm and enhancing your concentration and memory. Warm up this fall with an Adaptogenic Matcha Latte, which provides the balancing, yet energetic effects of both maca and matcha—a win-win for both mind and body!
3. Cacao
Cacao is another wonderful energy-boosting food, primarily because of its high theobromine content. Researchers have found that theobromine is associated with energy increases, while also decreasing the risk of high blood pressure. When combined with safe amounts of caffeine, such as that found in matcha, theobromine has also shown great promise in supplying the body with long-lasting energy during exercise.
This powerful superfood comes in various forms, including Navitas Organics Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs, among others, and has a rich chocolate taste with no added sugar. Energize your mind, body and spirit with a bowl of Nutty Chocolate Oats to warm you up and help you feel satisfyingly full all morning long.
We challenge you to swap one cup of coffee this week with any of these good-for-you energy-boosting superfood recipes and share on social using #SuperSwaps!
