10 Foods To Stay Energized & Slim Down Naturally

Eating healing foods will give your body the essential macro and micro nutrients it needs to function optimally. When this happens, you'll be able to lose weight naturally, feel better and have enough energy to get you through the day, without experiencing irregular energy dips and unwanted mid-afternoon sugar cravings.

Here are 10 energizing foods for you to try this summer!

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Red Quinoa

Quinoa is an ancient seed, high in protein. It is a great source of manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, copper, zinc, and vitamin B and therefore offers many health benefits. 
Eating quinoa will give you instant energy since it's a complex carbohydrate (slow release of energy), but because it’s also high in protein and fiber, you will feel satisfied hours after eating it as well. This is a great gluten-free grain for a summer salad or as a side dish. You will love the many delicious ways that you can easily create a tasty and highly nutritious summer dish with red quinoa! 

Ruby Grapefruits

The heat of summer makes grapefruits the perfect breakfast or summer snack. Adding fresh grapefruit juice to water helps to bump up the nutritional value and can even help reduce belly bloating. 
Grapefruits are high in vitamin C and even calcium, and so they keep you going and feeling healthy as you move through the wonderful summer season.

Vine Tomatoes

Who doesn’t love a fresh tomato from the garden? 
Packed with a summer sweetness, tomatoes also pack a powerful hit of antioxidants, namely lycopene. Use tomatoes in your cooking to boost the nutritional value of a wonderful salad or just enjoy tomatoes on their own with fresh basil, knowing that you are helping to boost your immune system and energy levels with every bite you take!

Lima Beans

There’s a reason that beans always rank high on every super food list and that’s because they have exceptional nutritional powers. 
Lima beans are loaded with fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates. They are can be cooked at home or you can buy canned organic beans. Add beans to a salad or soup, or feature them as the main dish in a vegetarian burrito.

Organic Eggs

Eggs are full of protein and quick and easy to cook, making them a great addition to your diet this summer. 
They're inexpensive and yet their protein helps to keep you feeling satisfied, helping to reduce mid-afternoon cravings. Try hard boiling some eggs and placing them in the fridge at the start of each week so that you always have a healthy breakfast or snack on hand. They also make a great addition to salads, and are especially great when you are busy and need something to eat on the go!

Avocado

Avocados are a true super food and give you a slow release of energy, keeping you fuller for longer. 
Avocados are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, making them a good fat for your body and brain. Summer is a great time to enjoy them in season. You can slice them onto salads, make an avocado dip or enjoy them just as they are served with fresh lemon juice and a dash of sea salt for a healthy and delicious snack.

Broccolini

By far one of the most stylish vegetables out there, this cruciferous veggie really packs a nutritional punch. It's similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks. 
The entire vegetable is consumable, including the occasional yellow flower. Common cooking methods include steaming, boiling and stir frying. It has a sweet, delicate flavor just perfect for summer salads and BBQ's.

Raspberries

Summer is the best time to enjoy berries as they are in season. Full of nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, you really get a lot of value by eating these nutritional gems. 
Fresh raspberries on their own make an excellent snack or blend them with chilled yogurt and frozen banana for a refreshing, creamy summer smoothie.

Coconut Yogurt

Dairy-free, creamy and delicious coconut yogurt is a must-have for this summer. 
You can either buy coconut yogurt, or if you have access to fresh young coconuts you could even try to make your own! It's a great alternative to yogurt or ice-cream if you have dairy sensitivities. Top a bowl of fresh berries with coconut yogurt for an amazing and tasty summer treat!

Basil

Basil is one of the oldest and most popular herbal plants in the world and it's filled with health-benefiting phytonutrients. This highly prized plant is even called the "holy herb" in many countries throughout the world. A small handful of torn or thinly sliced basil leaves will add a touch of summer freshness to any salad or meal you serve. 
Fresh basil is the basis for the infamous Italian basil pesto, which you can easily and quickly make in a food processor by blending fresh basil leaves, olive oil and lemon juice to taste, 1 clove of garlic, handful of nuts and a pinch of sea salt.
For more tips on how to heal your body with food, dowload a free chapter of my book called Losing Weight is a Healing Journey here. 

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