The Best Foods to Combat Midday Slump
It’s 3 pm and you’re trapped behind a desk, or sitting in the carpool line waiting for pickup. You’ve been going full force since the morning, are hungry and losing speed… fast! Now’s the perfect time for a snack! A midday nosh can give you a much needed burst of energy and fuel to keep your engine running. But what snacks to choose? Don’t just reach for the first processed foods in sight! Grab a snack that packs a nutritional punch.
We went directly to a source and asked for the straight up scoop; what are the perfect foods to combat a midday slump? According to Blake Elarbee, BS, CSCS, SNS, a nutritionist and trainer working with private clients in Los Angeles, the first thing to do is make sure you actually ate lunch. “If not,” he explains, “an ideal lunch would be a variation of the following: lean meat, whole grain bread and a reduced calorie mayonnaise. This gives you an optimum nutrient mix of carbs, fat and fiber to give you energy and keep you full.”
Already had lunch? If you’re looking for the ideal snack, Elarbee suggests the perfect snack of fruit and a small serving of nuts. “Fruit (like an apple, banana or pear) will give you some nutrient dense carbs and a dose of fiber to help you feel full. Nuts (like almonds, macadamia nuts or mixed nuts) are going to give you healthy fats for long-lasting energy. It’s a portable, super easy and fast snack that will carry you through till dinner!”
So here’s the scoop. 3 easy and fast foods to eat when you’re starting to slow down:
1) Nuts
Like Elarbee advised, nuts have a nice dose of healthy fats and nuts contain magnesium, which is shown to improve energy. Just remember… portion control! A serving size of nuts is (normally) smaller then we imagine so, keep that in mind when scooping a handful.
2) Whole Grain Crackers and Hummus
Complex carbs? Check. Protein? Check. A serving or whole-grain crackers with hummus spread is a fast (and yummy!) way to boost that energy and fill you up.
3) Yogurt with Granola or Fruit.
Creamy, tangy Greek-style yogurt is protein packed. It’s even been shown, in women, that probiotics in yogurt cause more activity in the decision-making areas of the brain! Sprinkle on a bit of fruit or granola for a sweet, small dose of carbs and you’ll be ready to go!
Living a life “on the go” doesn’t mean you need to give into your midday slump. Plan accordingly, make things easy for yourself by stockpiling nutritious, portable foods and remember… be kind to yourself and show your body love with healthy foods!
