You’re a mother or bound to be one soon. You’re tired. Scratch that-you’re EXHAUSTED.
All. The. Time.
Do you want to know the trick of lasting energy? How the heck can you have more energy every day without downing harmful drinks? Does it really have to be this way?
Do you really have to live the rest of your life
- not sleeping through the night
- not being able to find the energy to take care of yourself
- not be able to function at your best because of your roles and responsibilities?
NO, it doesn’t.
How To Have More Energy Every Day
Our bodies are so miraculous and do countless things for us that we barely comprehend. But we have to do something for our bodies. We have to provide its nourishment. Wouldn’t it be great if you were just a powerhouse of energy that is constantly filled or renewed like a solar panel just sitting there?
Maybe someday in the next life that will be the case. But for now, you control the amount and type of energy you put in —yourselfyour food. You can do everything right in all other areas, like getting enough sleep, not expending too much physical effort all in the hopes of saving your energy. But it really begins with your food, and hydration too for that matter.
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” -Virginia Woolf
You cannot expect to get through the day, or even just the morning on a donut and coffee. You may think you need your energy drink or just popping in a snack here and there will do it. Well, you’re wrong.
Related: Being Pregnant — No Energy, No Motivation
Why We Crash
It took me a few years to figure out why I kept crashing so often, even during times that I was very active and got enough sleep. I’m hypoglycemic often and would find moments every day where I had low blood sugar, just would shake, and had to lay down and breathe in order for the feelings to pass.
Then one day I was reading in my physiology book during college and realized what I was missing: protein.
Protein is SO important in your diet. Protein breaks down much slower than typical carbs and will keep your blood sugar and energy lasting SO MUCH LONGER than any other option.
- So what can you do to have sufficient amounts of protein in your diet so that you’re lasting through the day? It all starts with breakfast.
- Do you skip your breakfast?
- Do you rush out of the door each morning with just a granola bar and an apple? That’s much better than a donut a coffee, for sure.
- But then do you find yourself dragging and needing something mid morning?
Here’s what you should put on your plate every morning.
EGGS.
Eggs, eggs, eggs. Have at least four to five every morning. Scramble them, put them between layers of toast in a sandwich if you’re on the go. Fry them, boil them ahead of time of quicker eating too. Or just pack them into the french toast you can sit down and enjoy slowly.
No matter where and how you eat your breakfast, you MUST have this much protein.
Are you a vegetarian or vegan?
OATMEAL.
Throw some nuts in there too and some Ultra Soy milk from Pacific Foods for extra protein. Oatmeal is a grain with one of the highest levels of protein and fiber of them all.
You need to start your day with around 30 grams of protein at all possible. Try it tomorrow and see if you don’t make it to lunch just fine.
- See if you don’t have the low blood sugar crash you experience too often.
- See if you’re able to heft that big pregnant belly of yours much easier with some added protein in your diet.
It makes a BIG DIFFERENCE.
Related: Recipe Tips For Increasing Protein Intake When You’re Pregnant
What do I eat for breakfast every single morning?
Four to five eggs, with some Cholula sauce, a slice of Franz gluten free toast, and some cranberry juice that’s been watered down a bit.
Then if it’s the weekend and I have more time or are feeling up to it, a bowl of oatmeal or other cereal made from oats. I wouldn’t have breakfast any other way.
On the weekend if I’m feeling up to cooking, I’ll make french toast with extra eggs, then some healthy chicken sausage from Aidell’s. Yummy!
To Sum Up
You cannot fulfill your role and even enjoy yourself during this time in your life without the much-needed energy that you so desperately need. Having the right amount of protein on a regular basis will sustain you through the rough patches of exhaustion with a newborn, long days with tiny toddlers, and months of strain from pregnancy.
This is primarily what Dr. Bradley teaches when it comes to your diet during pregnancy. I personally found it a MAJOR help during all of my pregnancies.
>> Get Dr. Bradley’s Childbirth Book Like I Did <<
Eat your eggs. Have your oatmeal. Every. Single. Day.
What do you have for breakfast? High protein shakes can be good too. I’ve had Orgain here and there, but it’s hard to find one that’s just not pure powder after dissolving without too much sugar in it. Have you tried one you really like?
Here’s to your health!
Favorites In This Post:
- Pacific Natural Foods Ultra Soy with Protein and Calcium
- Cholula Original Hot Sauce
- Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Powder, Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Remember, you can do hard things.
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Thank you for your article on energy without caffeine, I am not able to do caffeine it is a trigger for migraine headaches so i do have difficulty with my energy level especially late afternoon. So protein is the secret, like many people I thought carbs was where we got our energy, thank you for this article I have been eating all wrong and will start right now on the right track thanks to your article
Carbohydrates are what our body breaks down for the ultimate molecule of glucose that our bodies run on. The trick is that it takes our bodies MUCH longer to break down protein into glucose. That’s why simple sugars from refined sweets and fruit doesn’t last us long at all. Then carbs from starches are the next longest, with protein much longer and then fats the very longest.
I’m glad to have helped and hope that adding more protein in your diet will definitely help you. Thanks for your comment!
Brenna says
I really enjoyed reading this article! As a mother myself, I totally agree with you that you need to not only eat breakfast each morning but you need to include protein! Your blog is beautiful and very professional. I think you are going to be very successful as your niche looks like a jewel of helpful info and tips for new moms. Great work!
Thanks so much Brenna! How many children do you have?
Brenna Thurston says
Just one so far!
Ah, I miss the days when I only had just one. 🙂 Best to that little one!
Matt says
Hey, great article. Although I am not pregnant I often find that I crash throughout the day and I have to survive off 5 hour energy and coffee. I never thought of protein as an alternative for energy. A good way to keep a stable blood sugar level is to also spread your meals out more evenly. Instead of having 3 meals a day have 5 smaller meals a day.
That’s an excellent tip, Matt. I often have a big breakfast, then two or three smaller meals through the day, then a larger dinner. Spreading it out definitely helps too.
What many people don’t realize that even drinking coffee and things like 5 hour energy are CAUSING them to crash. When you spike your blood sugar with things that intense-yes, you get the energy surge and spike, but then in order for your body to naturally compensate for that you drop down to super lows and crash. Then people will grab another coffee and ride the roller coaster again. It’s really a bad way to do things.
But being consistent with sufficient levels of protein and smaller meals through the day, you’re able to have the blood sugar spikes and nutrient flow to a manageable and stable rate of digestion. You don’t get the spiking and crashing that happens with energy drinks. Thanks for your comment Matt!