In a classical sense, “energy” is regarded as the force that causes change. In health and wellness, “energy” has evolved to describe our strength, vitality, and emotional wellbeing. Here, let’s explore energy as the essential force needed for human life—a fuel that moves us forward, or, at times, holds us back.
Balancing Act
These days, countless energetic influences affect our bodies and minds each day. Everything we breathe, drink, eat, listen to, read, watch, say, think, and do seems to have a profound effect on our seemingly fragile existence. Yet, somehow, we stand perfectly still on this rock called Earth, hurling through space and around the Sun at 67,000 miles per hour. Considering all that works against us, it’s amazing how difficult it actually is to throw ourselves off balance.
Being in balance is our natural state, and we always strive for equilibrium. Certainly, if abused or neglected over long periods, bodies and minds will break. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be repaired—at least to a large degree. We are stronger than we think, and learning to manage our own energy is essential for a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. While we can’t control many things in the universe, we do have control over what we put in our bodies.
Food as Energy
Food is our fuel. The better the quality of fuel, the better our engines run. It’s no secret that food affects our energy levels, but how does that work?
I remember back in California frequenting my local coffee shop, where I often saw a father with his young son. The boy, around four, always waited patiently in line. After receiving their order, they would sit outside. Within ten minutes, the boy would transform from calm and well-mannered to wild—jumping, climbing, and making faces as if he couldn’t control his muscles.
To a casual observer, this might seem like normal child behavior. But the transformation was dramatic. After watching this scene unfold several times, I noticed a pattern: every few minutes, his father would feed him a bite of something—a jelly donut they’d bought at the counter. Soon enough, the boy would burn out and fall asleep in his dad’s lap, all before noon. Every time I witnessed this, the outcome was the same.
That single jelly donut, sweet and delicious but loaded with sugars and preservatives, could transform the boy’s entire being in a matter of minutes—and then leave him drained. Now imagine a child experiencing that energy rollercoaster day in and day out for years. The sugar rush may lose its edge, and the child may require more to achieve the same effect. Still, if he cut out sugar for a month and then reintroduced it, he’d certainly feel its impact.
This observation isn’t meant to criticize, but to illustrate the point: food as energy is powerful. It can alter our physical state and even behavior. To truly understand balance, one must also recognize imbalance.
Creating Balance with Food
Having considered how imbalance occurs, what about ways to regain balance? First, ask, “Do we live to eat, or eat to live?” There’s a profound difference. Eating to live means choosing food to nourish and energize the body to support our goals and purpose. This way, we remain in control of our wellbeing.
Living to eat, on the other hand, is letting cravings and taste drive choices—often leading to dependency on the fleeting satisfaction of flavors.
Next time, join me as we continue to explore food as energy and discover which foods, combinations, and methods of preparation will improve your stamina, focus, and can even correct specific health conditions.
