Jordan Freytag + photo

Jordan Freytag

Jun 3
3 min read
bubble 0

In our modern world, the lunch hour is one of the easier meals to consume lavish starchy foods, which are full of carbs and refined sugars, such as fries and pastas. “We are going out to lunch!” at the office soon turns into “Who’s ready for a nap?” Consuming these foods may be delicious and fun, but they actually lead to a sluggish afternoon and evening.


As we know, our bodies use up vital energy to digest food, converting it into usable caloric energy in hopes to not only replenish the energy lost but to exceed it. Foods that are high in refined sugars, carbohydrates, and fats require more energy from your body to convert it into caloric energy, but the pay-off isn’t worth it. After eating such foods, our bodies become fatigued, both physical and mental because of the lack ofcleanenergy derived from the foods we consumed. With digestion, there is of course an expected energy loss, but the energy loss varies depending on the integrity of the food. It is no wonder that those who consume large lunches, high in carbs and fats, are sluggish in the afternoon, prone to napping, and generally less productive.

Brendan Brazier, a former triathlete now a plant-based nutritionist, promotes a lifestyle of nutrition called High Net Gain Nutrition, which he discusses at length in his book, Thrive. High Net Gain Nutrition consists of a plant-based diet, eating natural unrefined foods that require less energy to digest but yield a high amount of usable nutrients. Brazier sees this kind of eating as an investment, so-to-speak—to invest as little digestive energy as possible with the greatest possible yield of caloric energy. Brazier suggests replacing starchy foods such as pasta, and white rice for carbohydrates that are more easily assimilated such as Amaranth, Quinoa, and Buckwheat.

In addition to simple carbs, sprouts are a perfect addition to a High Net Gain Nutrition diet because they are packed with a high concentration of nutrients that aid the body but take minimal effort to digest. In the germination stage, the bioavailability of the nutrients in the infant sprout is the highest because the seed itself is breaking-down, converting carbohydrates and amino acids to their simplest forms, making it easy to digest. The dense nutrients in the sprout are aimed to help the plant grow to maturity but when consumed by humans, those dense nutrients are easily digested, providing a high yield of energy. The best part is sprouts are easy to grow and take minimal time. It is manageable, even for the busiest of people, to have a constant supply of sprouts on hand. And when eating sprouts consistently, you’ll feel the youthful energy they can bring to your body.

Avoid the afternoon slug and consume foods that will provide your body with fuel rather than the ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz . . . .

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments

No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation

  1. 2023 Giving Tuesday RecapGiving Tuesday Header

    2023 Giving Tuesday Recap

    Every year, it seems that the message of Giving Tuesday is reaching more and more people. What a beautiful thing it is to be able to serve the people both within your community and others around the world. If Giving Tuesday is new to you, welcome. This...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2023-12-06
    2 min read
    bubble 0
  2. The Types and Benefits of Homemade Teadried tea ingredients

    The Types and Benefits of Homemade Tea

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Tea of some kind has been drunk somewhere in the world for at least 5,000 years. This simple yet comforting drink is ingrained in human culture. However, there are so many different kinds of tea and ways to make it that it can...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2023-12-05
    6 min read
    bubble 0
  3. Christmas Wheatgrass TraditionChristmas Wheatgrass Growing

    Christmas Wheatgrass Tradition

    Published December 5, 2022 There are many traditions associated with Christmas. Hanging stockings, singing carols, giving gifts, etc. Did you know it is also a traditional custom to grow wheatgrass for your Christmas table? In Croatia, you will commonl...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2023-12-04
    5 min read
    bubble 6
  4. Discovering the Festival of Lights: Hanukkah's History and TraditionsHanukkah menorah

    Discovering the Festival of Lights: Hanukkah's History and Traditions

    Written By Chelsea Hafer Often referred to as the Festival of Lights, hanukkah is a radiant celebration that illuminates the winter season with hope, unity, and tradition. Can you feel the warm glow of candlelight, the sizzle of potato latkes, and the ...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2023-11-29
    5 min read
    bubble 0