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We live in a busy world. On a daily basis we may juggle many responsibilities: maintaining our homes, working at our jobs or our studies, and dealing with our families and friends. With all that life throws at us, it is a wonder we have any energy at all. Maximizing the energy that we supply to our bodies is a balancing act. We need to pair nourishing foods with a healthy lifestyle.

For optimal health, we need to ingest carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our bodies, and it is important to distinguish between carbohydrates that are simple and those that are complex. Simple carbohydrates are found in processed foods, sugars and fruits. They burn energy very quickly and are high glycemic, which means they rapidly elevate our blood sugars. Fresh fruits are an excellent choice for quick energy. Sugars and processed foods are not recommended, as they are loaded with calories and cause sluggishness immediately following the initial sugar "rush." Complex carbohydrates keep us full longer and are low glycemic, which helps to maintain blood sugar levels. For quick pick-me-ups, stock your refrigerator with apples, oranges and fresh berries. When considering complex carbohydrates, go with whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice and fresh vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumbers and peppers can be sliced and placed in baggies for a busy lifestyle!

Fats are valuable to our bodies for transporting oxygen, blood clotting and aiding energy production. Once again, it is important to identify good fats, bad fats and very bad fats. Good fats have been found to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. These can be either mono-unsaturated fats, found in olive or canola oils, nuts and avocados, or polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3 fatty acids), found in cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseed. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been found to help reduce symptoms of depression, arthritis and colitis. Saturated fats found in red meats, eggs and cheeses are bad fats which contribute to heart attack and stroke, and should be eaten sparingly. A trans fat is a man-made product of hydrogen gas reacting with oil, and can be found in processed foods and most fast foods, These fats are very bad for our waistlines, our blood vessels, and our nervous systems. They have also been linked to certain cancers. Therefore, it is extremely important to read the labels of products that we purchase in order to steer clear of trans fats.

Proteins are used in our bodies

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