Fighting Fatigue: 5 Plant-based Foods to Increase Energy Levels

Processed foods and sugars can make you feel lethargic and lower your energy levels. Eating whole foods rich in healthy fats, vitamins and minerals will give your energy levels a significant boost and lower your stress levels, says Banin Shahine, Nutrition Manager at Fitness First Middle East. Here, she shares a few vegan-friendly foods to help you fight fatigue this month:

1 Bananas

are one of the best foods for energy. They are an excellent source of carbohydrates and are full of potassium and vitamin B6 - all of which can help boost

2 Brown rice

is extremely nutritious. It is less processed than white rice and retains more nutritional value in the form of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Thanks to its fibre content, brown rice has a low glycaemic index, meaning it can help regulate blood sugar levels and maintain steadylevels throughout the day

3 Apples

are rich in natural sugars and fibre and provide a slow and sustained energy release. Rich in antioxidants, apples also help slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, and release energy over a more extended period of time

4 Edamame beans

are relatively low in calories, but these satisfying pick-me-up snacks are full of proteins, carbs and fibre. Edamame beans also have huge amounts of vitamins and minerals that help increase energy in different ways.

5 Leafy green vegetables

like spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce and watercress are all excellent sources of vitamin B and have an important part to play in energy production.