According to most surveys, about 46% of US adults—almost half the population—lack proper nutrition. They indulge in poor-quality diets that are too salty and greasy and contain a minimal amount of fish but large amounts of processed meat and sweetened beverages. The statistics get worse when you look into children’s diets.

Numerous studies show a majority of Americans being too tired throughout the week, which affects work performance, physical health, and overall wellbeing—in short, we’re an exhausted nation!

Needless to say, a major factor contributing to this fatigue is a lack of awareness how different foods can affect your energy levels.

What is Good Nutrition and Why Is It Important

Generally, most of us know that good nutrition means staying away from fried food, consuming less artificial sugar, and eating more leafy vegetables, but we don’t really have in-depth awareness about what classifies as good nutrition and how it helps.

Proper nutrition comes from a well-balanced diet that ensures an adequate intake of all necessary vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to several health-related problems, including fatigue.

How Does Poor Nutrition Contribute to Fatigue?

The human body heavily relies on food to function well. However, it needs some particular nutrients from specific foods. While consuming unhealthy foods may not always cause significant damage, they will make you feel tired and less energetic.

• Processed grains—you’ll find these in carb-heavy foods like pasta and white bread. These foods have been heavily processed and are stripped of their nutritional value almost entirely. Moreover, since there is no layer of fiber anymore, these foods become easier to digest, prompting a spike in energy and blood sugar, followed by a sharp drop. As a result, you’ll feel energetic momentarily, but your body won’t be able to sustain that energy for long.
• Fried food—these foods contain high amounts of fat and very little levels of fiber, which makes them harder to digest. Since the digestion process is slower, it’s harder to derive energy from these foods.
• Added sugar—you’ll mostly find added sugar in your beverages, flavored yogurts, cereals, and granola bars—even those that claim to be energy boosting. These snacks don’t have any nutritional value and can only give your short-term energy boosts followed by more extended periods of fatigue.
• Lower Calorie foods—if you’re on a weight loss diet, you’re probably cutting back on your calories, and that may be effective for shedding weight, but it can cause fatigue too. The body needs a particular amount of calories to function well, so if you reduce your calorie count significantly, it will make you feel extra tired.

How Can You Add Nutritional Value to Your Meal

In general, adding nutritional value to your meals means taking several essential steps. This would include maximizing fresh food intake and limiting unhealthy food items in your diet. Additionally, you’d want to regulate your portion sizes and reevaluate your seasoning and cooking habits to ensure your food retains maximum nutritional value when it reaches your plate.

Additionally, we suggest choosing nutrition coaching online with a Registered Dietitian, much like what we offer at xoxo4wellness. We can help you with an easy to prepare healthy meal plans, including plant-based meal plans that address all health and wellness issues, including fatigue.

Give us a call to discuss this further.