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Foods That Deplete Energy Levels

Everything that goes into our body has an effect on it at the chemical level. Thus, while you may be having a bad day and crave a mood boost from your favorite comfort food, you may actually end up lowering your energy level and mood. As food gets broken down, it can increase, decrease or maintain our blood sugar level, which is the key barometer in maintaining a healthy energy level. When we feed our body certain foods, they often cause a spike in blood sugar, which momentarily makes us feel energetic. It is deceiving, though, as that spike generally leads to a blood sugar crash that depletes energy levels. Controlling blood sugar and insulin is fundamental to maintaining healthy energy levels.

  1. Caffeine

    • Caffeine is commonly used as an energy booster. However, large doses of caffeine can wreak havoc on the central nervous system and cause a blood sugar crash, which depletes energy over the long term. Also, if you consume too much caffeine during the day, you may not be able to sleep at night, thus causing you to have very little energy the next day.

    Grape Juice

    • Low iron levels are often responsible for low energy levels. When iron levels dip too low, people can become anemic. Accordingly, those who suffer from low energy levels should avoid consuming grape juice, as it can limit the body's absorption of iron. In addition, even though it contains naturally occurring sugar, grape and other juices should only be consumed in moderation, as it can cause blood sugar fluctuations and deplete energy levels.

    Alcohol

    • Alcohol works as a sedative and can deplete energy levels, even if you consume only one drink per day. Alcohol may especially cause energy levels to plummet during mid-afternoon and early evening. Also, a common side effect of alcohol is insomnia, which only exacerbates fatigue and low energy issues.

    White Flour

    • Foods that contain white flour, such as bread and pasta, wreak havoc on blood sugar. According to Dr. Samantha Heller, a clinical nutritionist, white flour and foods made with it immediately spike blood sugar. The body then compensates for that by pulling blood sugar levels down.

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