HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - ENERGY FOODS

The holidays are over. Are you exhausted? Have you made a resolution to treat your body better in the coming year? One of the ways to do that is to eat better. Eating the right foods can help counter exhaustion by providing us with more energy.

Foods rich in iron and vitamin C do just that. Iron helps provide our muscles with oxygen, and vitamin C helps our cells absorb more iron. Think of them as the Dynamic Duo.

Foods rich in iron include chicken, eggs, red meats, spinach, tofu, starchy beans, oatmeal, quinoa, and wheat germ. You can find rich sources of vitamin C in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, kiwi, Brussels sprouts, guava, and potatoes.

So on those hectic days leading up to Christmas, start your morning off with a glass of orange juice, followed by a bowl of oatmeal with sliced strawberries or a tomato omelet. For lunch try a spinach salad with broiled chicken. Dinner? How about a stir fry of lean beef, bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes with a side of quinoa?

Change your diet to add more iron and vitamin C, and you’ll find you have much more energy to tackle anything the day throws at you.