Low energy and exhaustion can be synonymous with motherhood, but according to doctors, eating your biggest meal at the end of the day may be part of the problem.

Dr. Mary Valvano, a physician from BetterNowMD, explains “Cells in our body metabolize food differently based on the time of day. Eating the same meal at 8 a.m. versus 6 p.m. can affect our body’s ability to use it for energy.” Large late-night meals impair blood sugar levels, disrupt sleep and interfere with the body’s ability to get optimal energy from the next day’s meals.

She recommends instead eating a larger breakfast to fuel the day. Sounds simple enough, except if you’re a spread-thin mom. If eating a full breakfast is a struggle, pre-make some easy breakfast options that require minimal effort in the morning.

Dr. Valvano also recommends avoiding energy drinks, as recent studies show they can endanger heart and brain health, cause inflammation and increase your blood pressure. Other caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea can help improve energy levels by supporting the mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in our cells. A sedentary lifestyle, eating a diet high in sugar and processed foods, and chronic stress have also been shown to crash energy stores. Even just 5 minutes of daily movement can improve energy levels by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain and muscles.

Read more (via Huffpost)