Do you often feel low on energy? Is it difficult for you to get through your day without feeling tired or sluggish? Well, your diet could be the reason behind it. Certain foods can make you feel tired, drained, and low on energy.

In this article, we will talk about 25 such foods that “steal” your energy.

1. Sugary Drinks and Sodas

Soda or sugary drinks give you a quick burst of energy but are not sustainable. These drinks contain a high amount of sugar, which can lead to a sugar crash, causing fatigue and low energy levels.

The high sugar content also makes you feel dehydrated, further affecting your energy levels.

2. Energy Drinks

While energy drinks can give you a quick boost, they’re filled with caffeine, sugar, and other artificial ingredients that can be harmful and triggering to those sensitive to them.

These drinks often lead to a temporary high, followed by a crash, which leaves you feeling fatigued and low on energy.

3. Fried Foods

Fried foods are difficult for the body to digest, which can result in feeling tired and sluggish. Fried foods also contain a high amount of unhealthy fats that can lead to inflammation.

Inflammation can result in decreased energy levels, causing one to feel lethargic.

4. Fast Food Meals

Fast food meals are often high in calories, fat, and salt, which can affect your energy levels. These meals lack the necessary nutrients for the body and lead to a spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash, leaving you with low energy levels.

5. Processed Foods

Processed foods are usually high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and low in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These foods not only lead to a decrease in energy levels but also have adverse health effects in the long run.

6. White Bread

White bread is made from refined flour, which has been stripped of its nutritional content, including fiber. The high glycemic index in white bread leads to a quick energy spike, followed by a crash, leaving you feeling low on energy.

7. Dairy Products

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt can often cause fatigue and lethargy. These products are high in fat and can be difficult to digest, especially for those who are lactose intolerant.

8. Red Meat

Red meat like beef, pork, and lamb, are high in saturated fats, which are challenging for your body to digest. This can lead to feeling tired and sluggish. Red meat is also high in protein, which, when consumed in excess, can cause fatigue and lethargy.

9. Alcohol

While alcohol is often thought of as a stress reliever, it actually has the opposite effect on your body. Alcohol is a depressant, which can lead to a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, causing fatigue and lethargy.

10. Candies and Sweets

Candies and sweets that are high in sugar content can cause a temporary high, followed by a drop in blood sugar levels, causing you to feel tired and low on energy.

The high sugar content in these sweets also affects your gut health, which can lead to decreased energy levels.

11. White Rice

White rice is a high glycemic index food that has been stripped of its nutrient content. Eating too much white rice can cause a quick energy spike, followed by a crash, leaving you feeling fatigued and low on energy.

12. Canned Foods

Canned foods are usually high in salt and preservatives. The high sodium content in these foods can cause dehydration and fatigue, while the preservatives can affect your gut health and lead to decreased energy levels.

13. Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are often found in low-calorie and diet foods. These sweeteners can trick your brain into thinking you are consuming sugar, causing a spike in insulin levels, followed by a sugar crash.

This leads to feelings of fatigue and lethargy.

14. Energy Bars

While energy bars may seem like a healthy snack, they are often high in sugar and artificial ingredients. These bars create a spike in energy levels, followed by a crash, which leaves you feeling tired and low on energy.

15. Potato chips

Potato chips are high in fat and salt content, leading to dehydration and fatigue. They’re also high in calories but lack essential nutrients needed by the body, leading to feelings of lethargy.

16. Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is often high in sodium and trans fats, causing dehydration and fatigue. It also contains a high number of calories but lacks essential nutrients, leading to feelings of lethargy.

17. Frozen Dinners

Frozen dinners are usually high in sodium and preservatives. While they may seem like a convenient option, they lack essential nutrients and can lead to decreased energy levels.

18. White Pasta

White pasta is made from refined flour, which has a high glycemic index, causing a quick spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash, resulting in fatigue and low energy levels.

19. Margarine

Margarine is high in trans fats and artificial ingredients, leading to inflammation and decreased energy levels.

20. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is high in fat and often contains preservatives. Excessive consumption of mayonnaise can lead to feelings of lethargy.

21. Donuts

Donuts are high in sugar and unhealthy fats. The high sugar content can lead to feeling tired and low on energy, while the unhealthy fats can cause inflammation.