5 Foods You Should be Eating to Feel More Energized

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Everyone knows that food is fuel for our body — so before you take on the world, shouldn't you make sure that the fuel you're using is premium? 

Here's a list of foods that will wake you up and give you an energy boost instead of slowing you down and making you sluggish.

1. Nuts, raw or dry-roasted

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Nuts, like almonds, peanuts, walnuts and pistachios, are a super effective way to deliver energy to your body. They contain fiber, vitamins and healthy fats. 

According to Men's Journal, "Although nuts are high in calories, they actually raise metabolism slightly with regular consumption."

But you don't need a lot of them to reap the nutty rewards: "The recommended serving size for nuts is about a handful, or roughly one ounce. This is also all you need to get the energy-boosting and nutritional benefits."

2. Beans

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Beans, beans, the magical fruit — the more you eat, the more energy you'll have. There are so many different kinds of beans — from pinto to garbanzo — and they all pack a punch of protein

Like nuts, they also have fiber, which helps give your body energy throughout the day.

According to Reader's Digest, "the balance of complex carbohydrates and protein [in beans] provides a slow, steady source of glucose instead of the sudden surge that can occur after eating simple carbohydrates."

3. Whole grain bread or cereal

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Whole grain breads and cereals, like oatmeal, have complex carbohydrates, which deliver energy without the crash-inducing sugar of the refined carbs in white bread or processed cereal.

The Mayo Clinic recomends emphasizing "carbohydrates for maximum energy" before a workout.

4. Fresh fruit

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Fruits can contain electrolytes, like potassium, as well as vitamins and fiber, which can help give you energy throughout the day instead of a boost and then a crash. 

The water in some fruits can also help stave off dehydration, which can cause drowsiness. LiveStrong.com recomends bananas, apricots, grapes, papaya, and strawberries as some potentially energy-boosting fruits.

5. Water

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We know, you're right, water technically isn't a food, but you just can't underestimate the benefits of staying hydrated. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of "mild to moderate" dehydration include "sleepiness or tiredness." 

The Mayo Clinic, citing information from the Institute of Medicine, says that "an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages a day."

If you're not drinking enough water daily, than your sleepiness could be a symptom of mild dehydration.