One of the most interesting topics in nutrition, at least for me, is the concept of food energy.

What do we mean by the energy of foods?

Well, according to food labels, it would strictly reflect the number of calories in a food. But a food that packs 500 calories and comes in a box doesn’t really strike me as being very energizing.

In fact, I challenge you to eat a packaged food, regardless of how many calories it contains, and then observe how you feel afterwards.

If you feel energetic, then you’re definitely 1 in a million. But if you’re like most people, then you’ll probably experience a drop in energy – not an energy boost.

I was thinking about this the other week after I experimented with eating a “healthy” organic cereal made with spelt, flax, hemp seeds, granola, and some other seemingly healthy ingredients.

The first thing I noticed upon finishing the cereal was that I was slightly irritated. I was also tired. Definitely not energetic.

Now, this may have been due to an intolerance to some of the grains in the cereal but I also suspect that because this wasn’t a raw food, which would be packed with live energy, my body would have to expend extra energy to digest and assimilate it.

So eventhough the cereal had about 400 calories for that serving size, those calories DID NOT energize me.

So before we continue, let’s clear something up…

More calories doesn’t equal having more energy although it does mean more energy from a calorie perspective.

Obviously, the better option would be to eat whole foods that actually provide a lot of energy (not calories) without providing high amounts of calories.

So what are those foods?

Well, very simply, they are raw living foods. Specifically, fruits and vegetables.

To give you an example of what I mean have a look at the following 2 kirlian photographs …

This first photograph is of organic broccoli (a very healthy food) that has just been steamed for 2 minutes – not a long time. Notice the energy or “life force” emanating from it. This aura is what kirlian photography is able to capture. It’s truly amazing!

Now look at this photograph.

What’s the first thing you notice?

Perhaps, a much greater energy field surrounding the broccoli? Well, this is because this broccoli has not been steamed. This time it is truly alive. It is raw and has not been heated. Thus, it still preserves it’s inherent life force.

Calories vs. Life Force

When looking for foods (or a diet) that will energize you this concept of calories vs. life force is a helpful one.

Sure packaged foods state that they contain a certain number of calories (a measure of energy) but they do radiate the kind of life force that we see with raw foods? Not at all.

When foods are heated or processed they essentially die.

So if you want more energy, wouldn’t it make sense to eat foods that are alive? That carry a natural life energy that your body can benefit from?

I think so.

And that’s what Eating for Energy is all about.

That’s really what eating for a healthy and vital life is all about.

It’s too bad that our current food supply had taken so many of us so far astray.

But you can get back on track…