We all know that slump you feel when you are just drained of energy for no good reason and it’s not easy to keep your energy level high all day. It can hit at any time; late morning and mid-afternoon are the most common times.
You should have three good meals throughout the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Between these three meals, there are times when you may become hungry and need food to help you last until the next meal. So you nibble on something and snack between meals.
While you might be tempted to go for a takeaway snack, a packet of crisps, or a chocolate bar, these will only give you short-term relief and actually make you feel more tired.
You need to look for snacks that are healthy and also provide you with energy. They boost your blood sugar, keep your metabolism going, and keep your energy levels up until the next meal.
Healthy Snacks on the Go!
There are a wide variety of healthy snacks that you can eat while you’re on the go. Protein is always a satisfying snack, as it is slowly digested and it will keep your blood sugar steady. Doing this also keeps your cravings at bay.
Here are some ideas to help you between meals:
- Single-Serve Cottage Cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Peanut butter pack
- Mini Cheese or string cheese
- Single-serve oatmeal packets or cups
- Edamame
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Greek Yogurt
- Whole grain protein bars
- Turkey roll-ups
- Low-fat chocolate milk
- Hummus cup
- 100-calorie almond packs
- Tuna pouch
- Jerky
The best way to go about eating healthy snacks is to keep them on hand. You never know when you’re going to get hungry or in need of a quick boost. It is also a good idea to have a variety of different types of healthy snacks to choose from. This way, you don’t get bored with your snack of choice and you can get creative in the kitchen.
Snacks that give you energy!
There are many energy-boosting snacks that you can enjoy.
The following snacks don’t just give you energy, they also help with your protein intake.
- Apples and Bananas (you can add peanut putter to either)
- Yogurt and cereal
- Popcorn
- Red peppers and hummus
- Almonds and walnuts
- Soy crisps
- Trail mix
- Quinoa
- Sweet potato smoothie
- Ants on a log (celery sticks with peanut butter)
- Chicken, hummus, and veggie lettuce wrap
- Berries
Some of these snacks might take a bit of preparation, but they are all instant energy foods that can give you a quick boost. With these high-energy snacks, you can take proper care of your body, avoid overeating during meal times, and keep your energy levels up throughout the day.
Make sure to choose snacks that have just the right amount of protein and carbohydrates. Some snacks are better than others. You should avoid sugary and fatty snacks. Fruits and vegetables are a good choice as they provide you with vitamins and minerals.
The best thing about snacking is that you can make healthy snacks at home and then enjoy them whenever you need a boost!
Rick Kaselj MS, is a leading kinesiologist and injury specialist as well as co-creator of the best-selling Unlock Your Hip Flexors program. Rick creates exercise programs that help people heal injuries and eliminate pain, so they can go back to living a full, active, healthy life.
