Boost Your Energy Naturally

• For menstrual-related fatigue: Tiredness may be due to hormonal changes, so eat small, frequent meals containing protein (helps keep blood sugar levels even) and drink water to stay hydrated.
• For pregnancy: Feeling run-down may be due to iron-deficiency anemia. You need more iron when pregnant, so check with your health care provider and take prescribed vitamins.
• While nursing: You need more fluid because you're giving out a lot of your body's fluid through breast milk. When you become dehydrated, you feel exhausted. Drink water throughout the day—enough so that your urine is pale yellow in color.
• For menopause and beyond: Eat regular meals and small snacks. Aim to have three food groups at every meal and two food groups for snack. A variety of foods will give you the nutrients to stay active. Drink water all day. Women in this group also may have fatigue due to hypothyroidism or sleep apnea, so if you're tired all the time, talk with your health care provider.

To evaluate your level of fatigue, check the brief questionnaire here.

For more on eating for lengthy exercise endurance, go here.