Feeling Drained? Your Nutrition May Hold the Answer
If you’re exhausted all the time, struggling to focus, craving carbs, and feeling like you need a nap every afternoon, here’s what might be happening: you may be fueling your body all wrong, but there is an easy fix to regain your energy.
First, know this might not totally be your fault.
You’ve been told that being tired is just part of motherhood. That it’s normal as you age. That you should “listen to your body” and eat more greens, fiber, and plant-based. But if you’re waking up tired, crashing mid-day, and relying on caffeine to keep going, your body isn’t crying out for more sleep—it’s begging for better fuel.
Blood Sugar, Protein & The Energy Rollercoaster
When you eat a meal or snack, your blood sugar rises. That’s normal. But if you’re eating mostly carbs—yes, even healthy carbs like fruit and vegetables—your blood sugar spikes fast, then drops just as quickly. That’s when you feel irritable, sluggish, or suddenly starving again an hour later.
Enter protein and healthy fats. They slow digestion, regulate blood sugar, and give your body long-lasting energy instead of the quick highs and crashes. Prioritizing protein is the key to steady energy, balanced hormones, and better digestion.
Most women think they eat enough protein, but the reality? They’re barely getting half of what they need. And animal-based protein is the gold standard—offering the most bioavailable nutrients that plant proteins just can’t match.
Why Animal-Based Protein is a Game-Changer for Regaining Energy
Your body needs more than just calories—it needs real, complete nutrition. Animal-based proteins provide:
✅ Heme iron – The most absorbable form of iron, critical for oxygen transport and preventing fatigue.
✅ B12 & other B vitamins – Essential for energy production, brain function, and reducing stress.
✅ Essential amino acids – Needed for muscle repair, metabolism, and hormone regulation.
✅ Healthy fats – Support cell function, hormone production, and sustained energy.
✅ Collagen & glycine – Found in bone broth and slow-cooked meats, they aid digestion and support skin, joints, and gut health.
Compare this to plant-based proteins, which often come with anti-nutrients that block absorption and require far more volume to get the same benefits. Your body thrives on nutrient-dense, animal-based foods—it’s how you’re designed to function, and it’s what you need to regain your energy.
My Energy Breakthrough: Prioritizing Protein Changed Everything and helped me regain energy
For years, I ate “healthy.” I loaded my plate with veggies, avoided processed foods, and thought I was doing everything right. But I was still drained, bloated, and riding the blood sugar rollercoaster every day.
The truth? I was eating way more carbs than protein. Even though my food was “clean,” it wasn’t fueling my body the way it needed. Carbs are fast energy, but to regain energy for really making it through the day, you need something more sustaining. When I started prioritizing protein—filling my plate with eggs, grass-fed beef, raw dairy, and bone broth—my energy skyrocketed. My cravings disappeared. My digestion improved.
This isn’t about cutting out carbs completely. It’s about getting protein right first—and most women aren’t even close.
Shocking Truths About Protein (That Most People Get Wrong)
🚨 The RDA for protein is the minimum to survive, not thrive. If you’re only aiming for 50 grams a day, you’re under-fueling your body.
🚨 You need at least 30 grams of protein per meal to trigger muscle protein synthesis and prevent muscle loss as you age.
🚨 Animal protein is 100% bioavailable—plant protein is not. You’d have to eat cups of lentils or quinoa to get the same usable protein as a few ounces of steak or eggs.
🚨 Not eating enough protein means your body breaks down muscle for fuel. This leads to a slower metabolism, weight gain, and—you guessed it—more exhaustion.
Quick Wins to regain energy NOW
- ✔️ Eat 30-50 grams of protein per meal. Start your day with an old-school breakfast that actually works—eggs and bacon, sausage, or steak. These are packed with bioavailable protein, healthy fats, and key nutrients that fuel your energy all day long. Not into a hot breakfast? Try a high-protein yogurt bowl with raw honey, nuts, and berries. Want something quick? Hard-boiled eggs and cheese are easy, portable, and keep you satisfied for hours. The key is making protein the foundation of your meal so that your blood sugar stays balanced, your cravings disappear, and your energy lasts.
- ✔️ Snack smarter. Raw cheese, rich in calcium and healthy fats, pairs perfectly with fruit for a balanced snack. Cottage cheese, packed with casein protein, supports muscle repair and keeps you full for hours. Greek yogurt provides probiotics that aid digestion and gut health while delivering a high protein punch. Hard-boiled eggs are nature’s perfect snack, offering a complete amino acid profile and essential vitamins like B12 and choline for brain health. And beef jerky, when sourced well, is a portable, protein-dense option ideal for regaining that on-the-go energy without the blood sugar spike.
- ✔️ Add protein to every meal before carbs. This keeps blood sugar steady and prevents crashes, reducing the need for constant snacking and preventing energy dips that make you feel sluggish and unfocused. When blood sugar is stable, your body isn’t scrambling for quick energy fixes, which means fewer cravings, fewer mood swings, and a more consistent, sustained sense of energy throughout the day. This also helps regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, which plays a huge role in metabolism, inflammation, and overall well-being. By focusing on protein first, you naturally create a rhythm of steady energy without relying on caffeine or sugar to get through the day.
- ✔️ Download my free guide below for a breakdown of the best animal-based protein sources by grams of protein.
Your Body is Begging for Protein—Are You Listening?
If you’re ready to stop feeling tired all the time, this is where you start. You don’t need more caffeine, naps, or greens powders—you need more protein. Animal-based, nutrient-dense, easy-to-absorb protein.
And I’ve made it ridiculously simple for you. Download The Best Sources of Animal-Based Protein to see exactly what to eat, how much you need, and how to make it effortless. Your energy is waiting.
