Boost your energy
If asked, most of us would probably put 'more energy' on our health wish list. As we get older, it's hard not to hanker after the energy levels that we had as a child. What is energy, where does it go, and how can we get more of it?
What is energy?
In basic biological terms, we get our energy from the food we eat. The food that we take in is stored by our bodies until we need it, then as it's called upon, it's converted by our bodies into energy to 'drive' our bodies and repair them. This chemical reaction is what we usually call the metabolism. In reality, the way that our bodies turn food into energy isn't as straightforward as in versus out, though. Our bodies are delicate instruments, easily upset by stress and what's going on around us.
If you eat well and look after your body, it figures that in most cases, you will be rewarded with more energy - it's a bit like giving your car the right fuel and looking after the engine. Our bodies are pretty resilient and we can survive on very little food - and very poor food too.
In your teens
Teenage energy levels are usually pretty impressive, despite the fact that you're still growing. If your energy levels start to decline, there are a few possible reasons;
Have you been eating properly? It's not a myth that vegetables are good for you. Fuel up properly and you should feel your sparkle coming back. If you're vegetarian, make sure that you are getting enough iron, a mineral that helps your body produce haemoglobin in your blood to carry oxygen to your cells. If you are lacking iron in your diet it can lead to anaemia. Your doctor can diagnose anaemia with a simple blood test, sometimes just a change of diet can really help.
Puberty - have you just started your periods? It's another reason for low iron levels as your body gets used to the routine of a monthly bleed. If you're losing a lot of blood, ask your GP if you need a check for anaemia. He/ she may be able to prescribe iron pills or give you some advice.
Stress - exams and usual teenage stresses can contribute to low energy levels. Introduce some relaxation techniques and keep an eye on what you're eating.
An important tip for teenage girls is to keep up your iron intake. It doesn't have to come from red meat, you can get iron from wholegrain cereals, dried fruit, nuts, pulses and green leafy vegetables too.
Try to eat regularly, and don't skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast doesn't make you thinner, it just makes you hungrier, less able to concentrate and more likely to overeat at lunchtime. Wholegrain cereal, eggs and fruit are all good choices to give you a morning boost of energy.
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