People often begin their day with high energy, ready to conquer the world by accomplishing every task. But, as the day goes by, the level of energy diminishes, making one feel unmotivated and tired. It especially happens during the afternoon, after lunch.
The reason is the high sugar and carbs present in the food. It releases cortisol, which makes you feel sleepy. As a result, you may find yourself yawning every now and then, and your work productivity decreases.
Thankfully, you can try out the following quick and healthy bites to restore your energy level. As the name states, these are quick bites so that you can consume them anytime and anywhere.
Dried Fruits And Nuts
Dried fruits and nuts are a great option if you are looking for portable snacks. They are a great source of nutrients like fiber, potassium, proteins, and healthy fats, thus giving you instant energy. Some of the combos that you can create with dried fruits and nuts include:
- Raisins and walnuts
- Dried cherries and salted almonds
- Dried manos and macadamia nuts
- Dried apricots and pecans.
When selecting dried fruits, make sure they are unsweetened and unsulfured. Do not buy dried fruits and nuts that include preservative sulfur dioxide or artificial sweeteners.
Dark Chocolate
In case you are craving a sweet snack, you can try dark chocolate instead. It contains caffeine and theobromine that gives you an instant push of energy. It will further help with improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Thereby a great option when you are feeling stressed and sluggish.
To elevate the taste of chocolate, you can consider combining it with almonds or other nuts. This way, your cravings will be satisfied, and your body will get healthy fat and fibers that will make you feel full.
Gummies
It might sound surprising, but gummies can help you feel alert and reduce your stress level to a great extent. These energy gummies have naturally-occurring amino acids often found in tea leaves. That’s the reason why it helps lower blood pressure and gives sturdy energy throughout the day.
Not to mention, this quick bite is delicious as well and is travel friendly. So, you will be able to get an instant energy boost while traveling for work.
Bean-Based Snacks
Beans are packed with plant-based protein and fiber, offering your body long-lasting energy. It is a great option for vegans and vegetarians and offers them necessary nutrients they may not get in their daily diet. You can eat dried chickpeas or even get snack-sized packs of hummus.
For a consistent flow of energy throughout the day, it is suggested to eat bean-based snacks in the morning. It will make you feel more productive and help you stay focused.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is another tasty and portable snack you can try for an instant boost. Depending on your craving, you can add sweet or savory toppings to make the snack delicious. For instance, you can blend it with hemp seed, dark chocolate, or berries for a sweet taste. Or, you can use bagel seasoning for a savory flavor.
Tip: Look for single-serving cheese cups so you can carry them anywhere and eat them whenever you want.
Smoothies
Apart from all the snacks mentioned above, you can also drink smoothies. It will help you stay hydrated and make you feel full and feel good overall. A quick and healthy smoothie that you can try is a tropical green smoothie loaded with various fruits such as mangos, bananas, protein powder, spinach, chia seed, and more.
To increase its nutritional value, you can consider adding nut butter to it. Nevertheless, make sure to keep the quantity of butter small; otherwise, it may affect the overall taste of the smoothie.
Sweet Potato Fries
If you are a fries lover, it would be wise to replace your potato fries with sweet potatoes. It is a fiber-rich snack that will help curb your appetite and give you instant energy shots. The best part? You can easily make these at home. Simply cut a medium-sized sweet potato lengthwise and bake them.
Make sure to limit the use of oil and keep the spices a bit light as well. Even so, the taste will be mouthwatering and help you restore energy.
Wrapping It All Up
These are a few quick bites that you can consume anytime and anywhere, especially if you are looking for an instant boost of energy. Apart from this, it would be wise to set a proper sleeping schedule, so you do not feel an afternoon slump.
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