It’s almost the end of a long day at work, and your energy levels are at an all-time low. This can be from skipping lunch or simply from being extra busy throughout the day, and while it’s tempting to grab a sugar-laden soda or energy drink along with a doughnut, there are much healthier alternatives that can provide more energy without the energy crash.
1. Mixed Nuts
Nuts are the multivitamins of nature, and they’re packed with almost everything the body needs in terms of energy.
Rich with protein, natural carbohydrates, nuts are a portable snack that pair extremely well with dried fruit.
2. Cottage Cheese and Cucumber
There are few things better than cottage or cream cheese on some crackers, but most crackers on the market are packed with empty carbs that provide short bursts of energy before the body needs more.
Instead, use cucumber slices as the base for the cheese, along with a sprinkling of paprika or garlic powder for extra flavour.
3. Yoghurt and Honey
Full-fat yoghurt is a snack that is often skipped due to its lack of flavour, and although there’s been a long-standing belief that full-fat yoghurt isn’t as healthy as its fat free compatriot, there are many studies showing that natural fat is good for our body.
A small cup of full-fat Greek yoghurt topped with honey and nuts is about as healthy as it gets while also providing our digestion system with essential bacteria.
4. Peanut Butter and Carrots/Apples
Peanut butter is a calorie-dense food that is perfect for both adults and children. It makes a great topping for a slice of apple or a carrot, and thanks to the proteins found in peanut butter; it can keep you full for longer than a conventional snack.
Carrots are beneficial, too, packed with antioxidants and Vitamin A. It should be worth noting that while peanut butter is generally a healthy snack, due to its high calorie count, too much can lead to some weight gain.
5. Dates and Prunes
This is for those that have a sweet tooth, but want to try and find a healthier alternative to pastries.
Sweet dates are the answer, and they can be chopped up and made into an extremely health date and nut energy bar that can be taken everywhere.
6. Fruit Salad
There’s a lot to be said for fruit and it’s many beneficial qualities. While most people are eager to have a fruit juice for their afternoon energy boost, it’s recommended that fruit juice be avoided as much as possible.
Where fruit has plenty of fibre to help the body process the vast amounts of sugar in all fruit, fruit juice is devoid of fibre and cause sugar-related problems, not dissimilar from a soda. Opt rather for a fruit salad that has the best of both worlds.
Try these healthy and simple snacks for the energy you need to get through the rest of the day, and perfect during a short break when playing a game of Australian online pokies.