Many adults find themselves feeling drowsy in the hours after they eat lunch.
A heavy lunch, a staid office atmosphere or a combination of the two can make professionals feel sleepy as the workday winds down.
Though some might opt for a second cup of coffee, the immediate energy boost provided by caffeine quickly wears off, leaving men and women feeling even more tired as a result.
Oftentimes, the right mid-afternoon snack can provide the energy boosts adults need to stay productive throughout the workday. The following are a handful of healthy snacks that tend to provide a lot of energy.
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people are opting for this snack that's rich in calcium, protein, phosphorous, and zinc.
Traditional yogurt tends to provide a quick energy boost, as it is generally easy to digest, before that boost quickly fades. Greek yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt, so it does not digest so easily, producing more sustained energy levels as a result. However, Greek yogurt is also loaded with protein, helping men and women feel fuller longer. That can be beneficial for those who want to lose weight, as the feeling of fullness that Greek yogurt provides means those who eat it are less likely to eat more snacks throughout the day.
Whole grains: Whole grain snacks are loaded with energizing ingredients, including fiber, iron, magnesium, and protein. Whole wheat snacks are also loaded with B vitamins, which help people fight fatigue and stabilize blood sugar levels.
In addition, the body takes longer to absorb the complex carbohydrates found in whole wheat snacks, which means the body can maintain stable blood sugar levels for extended periods of time, and that leads to a longlasting energy boost. White bread and simple carbohydrates provide an immediate, yet temporary, energy boost when people's blood sugar levels spike. But once that initial energy boost subsides, men and women will be left feeling fatigued.
Edamame: Many people may know edamame from recipes, but few might know edamame can be an energy-boosting snack as well. Edamame are boiled soybeans that are rich in protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Each of these things helps the body sustain energy levels. In addition, edamame is also packed with a trace mineral known as molybdenum that helps cells function properly while enhancing alertness and improving concentration.
Almonds: Almonds are loaded with ingredients that increase energy levels, including vitamin E, phosphorous, vitamin B2, and magnesium, which serves numerous beneficial functions, including aiding in the production of energy and relieving stress and anxiety. Because they are rich in protein and fiber, almonds take longer for the body to digest, which means energy levels will stay up for longer periods of time than they would for those snacks that are easily digested.
Almonds also contain healthy fats that curb appetite, making it less likely that men and women who snack on almonds will overeat and find themselves fighting the fatigue that's often a by-product of overeating.
