GET YOUR ENERGY BACK
It’s 3:00 pm and you are crashing hard. But there is no time for rest. Your afternoon is packed with back-to-back meetings, kid carpools or can’t-miss deadlines. Time for a quick fix – a little something to recharge.
For many of us, that means an afternoon coffee, Coke or Red Bull – an easy and temporarily effective solution. But the benefits are brief and oftentimes leave you feeling worse than when you started. Before too long (sometimes as little as 30 minutes), the caffeine/sugar hit begins to wear off and you return to feeling sluggish and fatigued.
Feeling your best, means stepping off the “fake energy” roller coaster and finding foods that recharge the body in a steady and sustained way. Instead of reaching for the high-sugar, empty-calorie alternatives, opt for nutrient-rich foods that both energize AND nourish the body in a lasting, crash-free way.
THE SECRET TO STAYING ENERGIZED
Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred fuel source, converting easily to glucose for energy. The secret is opting for carbs that avoid a sudden energy spike and instead enter the bloodstream more slowly and steadily. Complex carbs fit the bill – and when combined with a lean protein, you are sure to feel recharged without the ups & downs of many quick-fix alternatives. Instead of hitting the blood stream all at once and sending the body into high-alert, foods rich in complex carbs and protein digest more slowly, allowing the glucose to enter the bloodstream steadily and over a greater length of time.
12 Favorite Foods that Energize & Recharge
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries)
- Beans
- Kale
- Nuts
- Yogurt
- Seeds
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Sweet potatoes
- Whole grains
- Broccoli
- Citrus (oranges & grapefruit, in particular)
- Salmon
Afternoon Energizers:
- Carrots & hummus
- Greek yogurt with granola & blueberries
- Banana & avocado smoothie
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Kale & coconut chips
- Celery with almond butter
- Citrus salad
- Brown rice cakes with bean dip & smoked salmon
PS. And don’t forget to stay hydrated. More often than not, afternoon fatigue is a result of too little fluids. Keep drinking that water, keep a few healthy snacks on hand and your 3:00 pm slump will be a thing of the past.
