Dear Monica...
The world's first food therapist
Food is an incredibly powerful tool in helping treat health and emotional problems. Each week, our diet expert, nutritionist Monica Grenfell, gives advice on what food can do to help you.
More energy please!
Q. I'm at my wits' end with lack of energy. I'm only 41 and on the outside I'd say I have it all, but despite trying to eat healthily I get terrible energy slumps and have no motivation. What can I eat to give me more energy?
Jenny, Wilmslow, Cheshire
A. The three things that spring to mind are a) youre lacking iron; b) you're eating too much food or c) you're bored. All food puts energy into your body, like putting petrol into a tank, but there it'll sit until you start the engine and do something with it. This is because having energy isn't the same as being energetic, which is a state of mind. Proper lack of energy (calories) makes us feel shaky, disconnected and light-headed, and is solved after one mouthful.
If you still lack energy after a decent meal, food's not the problem. I suggest that you start taking a multivitamin and iron supplement such as Minadex (from chemists) for a week, drink plenty of water because dehydration makes us tired, and obviously check with your GP if you need to. The best foods for energy are pasta, rice and potatoes.
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