The right food can provide many health benefits for the body. Anyone who is looking to increase their energy can try eating more foods that contain many of the important vitamins and minerals that are known to boost energy levels. Here are some of the best foods for energy levels.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that the body can use for energy, and eating sweet potatoes before going on a long run or engaging in some other type of strenuous workout can be especially beneficial. Manganese, which is often recommended for its ability to boost energy, is also found in sweet potatoes. The plentiful dose of vitamin A that the body gets from eating sweet potatoes can increase energy levels even more. One of the best ways to eat sweet potatoes is to cut them into slices and bake to make some delicious sweet potato fries.

Bananas

The fructose, sucrose and fiber in bananas can increase energy levels naturally. To make it through an intense 90-minute workout, two bananas can be eaten beforehand to provide the body with an energy store that can be used throughout the course of exercise. Bananas can be eaten on their own or sliced and added to a bowl of cereal for a tasty and nutritious meal.

Eggs

Eggs contain the protein that the body needs to maintain optimal energy. Energy can be increased even further because of the amino acid known as leucine that is found in eggs. Food that the body processes can be broken down and used for energy more efficiently thanks to the increased level of vitamin B that is found in eggs. Some of the best ways to prepare eggs for eating is by frying, scrambling or boiling them.

Oatmeal

This favorite breakfast food is actually a complex carbohydrate, which means that the body digests it slower. This slower rate of digestion provides the body with a steadier rate of energy instead of all at once, and the body can stay energized for longer after a bowl of oatmeal has been eaten. Both instant and regular types of oatmeal can supply the body with more energy, but it is important to make sure that any oatmeal that is being consumed does not contain too much sugar to avoid experiencing energy crashes.

Walnuts

Alpha-linolenic acid, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, works wonders in increasing energy and is found in walnuts. Walnuts also contain good calories that are easy to burn off and provide a great energy source when exercising. Walnuts can be eaten whole or used as an ingredient for cookies, pies or pancakes.

Eating more of these foods can give the body the energy that it needs to push through tough workouts or simply make it through each day. There are many ways to eat these foods, and experimenting with different recipes can make consuming these edibles more fun.