by Edee

Created on: March 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Every day we are bombarded with new information about what we should and shouldn't eat from nutritionists, doctors, diet books and magazines. It's so easy to get confused, how can you eat healthily and be sizzling with energy?

You want to sleep deeply at night and jump out of bed excited about the beginning of a new day? You want to avoid that mid-afternoon slump? Here's what to do:

Firstly, remember you are the owner of your own body, so generalised advice about what is nutritionally good and bad should be tested out on the most important person, you. If I eat bread, or drink beer, within hours my stomach has bloated out to 9 month pregnancy levels, this does not happen with pasta or potatoes, so I came to the conclusion that me and yeast do not get on well together and generally avoid anything with yeast in it. When you take the time to really notice the effects certain foods have on you, you can start to avoid them, while at the same time upping your intake of the foods that make you feel wonderful, that satisfy you, that tingle on your tastebuds and most importantly, energise you.

We've all heard this a million times, but I'm going to repeat it anyway. Drink Water! At least 2 litres a day, more if you are exercising. Water flushes out toxins, it helps your liver function properly, it clears up your skin and it most definitely gives you energy. When you are dehydrated you often feel hungry when in fact you are thirsty, so always drink water before diving into the cookie jar, you may simply have been dehydrated. And speaking of dehydration, avoid caffeine. Caffeine dehydrates you and is also is a stimulant. It might give you a temporary perk-up during the day, but the effect soon wears off leaving you feeling more tired than before. Cut it out for two weeks and then, if you must, have one or two cups of coffee during the day, but none after 5 in the evening and you will notice you sleep better and so have much more energy the following day.

Sugar, well, there's nothing good to say about it at all. It is completely devoid of nutrition, it shoots your insulin levels sky-high, and then they plummet back down leaving you feeling sluggish and craving something else sweet to give you energy again. Cut it out or cut back on sugar and any food produce that is laden with sugar. Check your food labels, it's hiding in the most unlikely places, mayonnaise, tomato ketchup and in ready meals. Along with sneaky sugar lurking in your food products are also additives, preservatives

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