Eat Your Way to Energy

By Lambeth Hochwald

"I went organic"
THERESA WILSON, 31, MARKETING EXECUTIVE

HER OLD WAY:
"I'd have cereal for breakfast, ham and cheese for lunch, and chicken and veggies for dinner, with cheese and crackers or cookies for a snack. I used to be so tired, I'd have to get to bed by 9 p.m. Sometimes, I could barely function. Once, after I CC'd my boss on an e-mail, she asked what was wrong because my sentences were all jumbled."

HER ENERGY FIX:
"A lot of my friends swear that organic is the only way to eat, and I thought it might be healthier for me, too. I now stock up on berries and nuts, along with tofu, green tea, whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, lentils, fruits, and vegetables. I eat every two hours, snacking on trail mix, hummus with carrots, bell peppers, celery, a smoothie with berries, tofu, or OJ. I'll even have a few mini lunches, such as whole-wheat bread with chicken and spinach or a supersalad with orzo or quinoa, mint, basil, and low-fat feta. People at work say, "Wow, you eat all the time," but my weight hasn't changed. Now, I don't need to get to bed until at least 11 p.m."

HOW GOOD IS IT?
"This is a classic case of how eating healthier in general can give you more energy," says Jeannie Gazzaniga Moloo, Ph.D., R.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Theresa's diet is higher in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, all of which give you long-lasting energy." Switching to any healthier foods will do this; they don't have to be organic. Keep in mind, says Moloo, that "organic" doesn't necessarily mean healthier. "There are a lot of refined foods that are organic."

post a comment