Feeling burnt out is never good, and when you’re tired it’s easy to go grab a cup of coffee for a quick energy boost to keep you going through the day. As much as I love coffee, I will be the first to admit that although it is fast-acting, it is not long-lasting. After a few hours you begin to crash and feel even more tired than you were before drinking it. Instead of trying to fuel yourself with caffeine, try some of these snacks to keep you awake and mentally alert for those long winter days! These snacks are healthy and easy to incorporate in your everyday diet.
Bananas – A great food to get you going, and keep you going throughout the day. They are rich in carbohydrates. potassium, natural sugars and fiber. The fiber in bananas helps maintain a steady and consistent energy all day, and you wont crash! Bananas are great in smoothies, or just by themselves.
Peanut Butter – Not only creamy and delicious, but surprisingly good for you. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamin E and potassium. Peanut butter keeps you full for longer and is considered “a good fat,” which means it is full of monounsaturated fats. Add some to a piece of wheat toast or even eat it by the spoonful for a healthy snack.
Raw Almonds – With protein and fiber, almonds can help you sustain energy for long days! An almond also contains the amino acid tryptohan which helps relax the body and gets rid of the mental drained feeling you have when you’re tired. Raw almonds are my personal favorite on this list, low in calories and yummy! If you don’t like the taste of raw almonds add them in a smoothie or chop them up and add them to a salad.
Lemon and Mint Water – An excellent substitute for coffee, the smell of lemon and mint are refreshing, and it’s practically energizing just to make this drink. It can be used as a detox for weight loss, but it’s also a great way to clear your skin as well. This mix has electrolytes, is a great source of vitamin C, and a good way to make bland water a little more fancy. You can add any sort of fruits and veggies into this mix, including strawberries and raspberries.