Ways to Prevent and Recover from Adrenal Fatigue + Raw Chocolate Maca Mocha Recipe

I’ve been a busy girl at the organic kitchen lately, chopping, blending, and mixing up recipes for my upcoming Nutrition Foundations program.  With many projects on the go, a nutritional practice, and two sweet little kids by my side, I should be exhausted, right?? Well check out how this girl keeps her energy levels up without the caffeine!

Ways to Prevent and Recover from Adrenal Fatigue + Raw Chocolate Maca Mocha Recipe

Our hectic lifestyles and over crowded schedules have left many of us feeling exhausted and a little fatigued. Add in sleepless nights, everyday stressors and a diet lacking in many vital nutrients and you’ve got yourself full blown adrenal fatigue! In order to feel fully energized and cope well with stress, we need to take care of these babies!

The adrenal glands secrete cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that kick into high gear during moments of intense anxiety or physical strain. But if stress has become a part of your daily life, continuous cortisol and adrenaline secretion may deplete your adrenal glands and wipe out energy reserves.

The usual suspects added to our diet when we’re combating fatigue are caffeine, refined carbs, alcohol and sugar. These foods and substances further deplete our system of vital nutrients and lead to more exhaustion.

What happens when our adrenal glands are over worked and exhausted?

• Constant tiredness
• Compromised immune function
• Weight Gain
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Increased risk of cancer

 How can you tell if you have adrenal exhaustion?

• Feeling tired in the morning
• Dizziness when standing up
• Frequent bouts of low blood sugar
• Increased moodiness and anger
• Uncontrolled sugar and carb cravings

What can you do to prevent and recover from adrenal fatigue?

Vitamin and Mineral Support

Adding a B-Complex and vitamin C to your supplement plan can help to combat stress and restore depleted reserves of these important anti-stress vitamins. There are multivitamins on the market that already contain a high potency B-complex as well. Adding magnesium to your nightly routine can calm your nerves and help you get a deep relaxing sleep, one of the most important factors in reducing stress levels and boosting your adrenal function.

Adaptogens to the Rescue

Caffeine can give you a boost, but it comes with consequences. It can overstimulate and further deplete your adrenal glands, cause irritability, anxiety and even lead to depression when overused. It also interferes with your sleep cycle if your body doesn’t detoxify caffeine efficiently. Another option to give you a boost is maca root. It is an adaptogenic herb that is known to increase energy levels and acts as a tonic to the endocrine system, which includes the adrenal glands. Adding a teaspoon of maca root powder to your smoothie in the morning can give you an energizing boost while soothing your adrenal glands!

Give Your Diet a Makeover

Easier said than done, I know. But you can start by simply switching your favorite ingredient staples to more nutrient dense and healing options.

Consider these substitutions:

Coffee  Try raw cacao, which is loaded with antioxidants and magnesium, which help to keep you calm but still give you a little kick start. Antioxidant rich green tea is also an option that doesn’t further deplete your body of vitamins and and give you the jitters!

Sugar  Try some low glycemic options, such as coconut syrup, stevia and yacon syrup. These don’t spike up your blood sugar levels, which are always followed by a crash! They also contain some vitamins and minerals that support your health.

Refined flour and baked goodies   Choose whole grains, which have fibre, vitamins and minerals. They supply your body with nutrients and give you lasting sustainable energy, unlike refined flour. Try some new options like kamut, rye and spelt flours or gluten-free options like brown rice, millet, quinoa and buckwheat.

Chips and Refined Crackers  Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables. These are loaded with nutrients and live enzymes, which give you energy! Adding more greens to your diet delivers much needed oxygen to your cells and makes they feel happy and alive:) Try a green smoothie, wrap or salad. Check for recipes from my recipe page!

Here is a recipe to get you buzzing without the crash and burn! Next time you’re reaching for that cup of joe, give this quick and nutritious treat a try :)

Raw Chocolate Maca Mocha

Enjoy,

xx