Coffee is not always the answer to all of life’s problems.

Creating and maintaining enough energy to get through the day is a problem that many Americans struggle with. I just said coffee isn’t the answer to all of life’s problems, but I’m sitting beside a cup of coffee right now. Our energy levels tend to rise and fall throughout the day, with a notable slump in the afternoon hours when we are especially susceptible to nodding off at our desks.
One of the causes of this lethargy is inflammation. When we have inflammation in our bodies, it creates more free radicals, and causes our brains to produce less energy metabolically. If you add foods to your diet that are considered anti-inflammatory, it can help circumvent this process and keep you full of natural energy all day.
The two ways you can do this are as follows: Eat more Omega-3 fatty acids, and add more polyphenols to your diet.
Here are five foods that contain high amounts of polyphenols:
Black and green tea
Apple cider vinegar
Cinnamon
Dark Chocolate
Colorful, nonstarchy vegetables
READ MORE: Attention All Coffee Addicts! How to Maintain Your Energy Without Caffeine
Here are five foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids:
Avocados
Olives
Coconut
Chia seeds
Macademia nuts
Adding these ten ingredients to your diet can help increase your daily energy, and help you stop passing out at your desk every afternoon. Enjoy!