Fuel Your Energy  

By Good Magazine

October 24, 2024

Good magazine talks to Nutritional Therapist, Root Cause Protocol Consultant, Holistic Life Coach, and Wellness expert Elizabeth Lake about how to stay full of vitality.  

What are the the most common dietary mistakes that could be draining your energy?: 

A lot of people don’t realise how much they are impacting their energy through what and how they eat. Some of the most common I see are: 

  • Skipping meals, which leads to blood sugar crashes and fatigue. 
  • Having sugary foods or caffeine for a quick pick-me-up, which often causes tiredness and irritability as the high wears off. 
  • Not getting enough fibre, which can lead to digestive problems like constipation, and low energy is the result. 
  • Dehydration can make people feel more fatigued than they realise. Have a glass of water if you are feeling tired and cranky, and you may be surprised by how much better you feel. 
  • Eating heavy or large meals too close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep. 
  • Refined carbs like those in white bread and pastries act like sugar and can cause energy spikes and crashes, so whole grains are a better choice. 
  • If your diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals, you might feel more tired than you should. Diets high in processed and fast foods lack the synergy and life force of whole foods and can leave you feeling sluggish due to unhealthy fats and sugars. 

Nutritional Therapist, Root Cause Protocol Consultant and Holistic Life Coach Elizabeth Lake.


What are the top foods you recommend for boosting energy and maintaining vitality throughout the day? 

Foods that create vitality for us are foods that have the most vital energy. Fresh raw foods are bursting with life force and many are still living when they are consumed! Farmer’s markets tend to have fresher produce than supermarkets and growing your own, even if it’s just herbs, is a wonderful way to enjoy vibrant freshly picked produce. 

Some of my favourite foods for maintaining energy are nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, chia, and flaxseeds, which are rich in healthy fats, protein, and magnesium—all of which support sustained energy. 

Leafy greens are packed with iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K, which are essential for energy production. They also support healthy blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells, and are great for gut health too. 

There is one particular animal product I recommend—beef liver. It is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, some of which aren’t found in plant foods. Many clients have found their energy increase very soon after adding beef liver to their diet. 

Staying hydrated is crucial for energy and vitality as well. Even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep our energy levels steady. 

How does your gut health influence energy levels? 

The health of our gut has a huge impact on our energy and well-being. It not only helps us break down and absorb all the good stuff from our food but also keeps our immune system strong and our mood balanced. When our gut and microbiome are healthy, it efficiently absorbs essential nutrients like B vitamins, which are crucial for turning food into the energy that keeps us vibrant all day long. Plus, our gut is deeply connected to our brain through the gut-brain axis, meaning it has a direct influence on our mood and stress levels. A happy microbiome can lead to a more balanced, positive mindset, helping us deal with whatever the day throws at us with energy and grace. If it is out of balance, we experience things like fatigue, mood swings, and stress, which rob us of our vitality. 

Energetically, our gut is the place where our body decides what is going to become “self” and what is not, and is often the first place we feel emotional stress, so when having gut issues it can be helpful to consider the body-mind aspects of the symptom as well. 

By nurturing our gut with a diet rich in fibre, probiotics, and plenty of water, and through reducing stress, we’re not just taking care of our digestion—we’re boosting our energy, enhancing our mood, and laying the foundation for a more vibrant, energetic life. 

To read the full article pick up a copy of the latest issue of Good Magazine – on sale now at your local supermarket or your favourite magazine retailer.

Sign up to our email newsletters for your weekly dose of good

More Articles You Might Like

Subscribe now to good magazine from just $30

Subscribe now to good magazine from just $30

Newsletter Sign Up