When studying or working non-stop, we all eventually hit a wall – the wall you will not be able to overcome and get back to work unless you have a snack. Some foods are more energizing than others and super easy to throw into your bag for an on-the-go pick me up! Here are some great ideas for new snacks to try to keep you on the move!
1. Water
Our bodies are about 60% water, so staying hydrated is more important than you think. Even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism down and reduce your energy. You need at least 8 glasses a day – this will help you avoid the confusion of thinking you're hungry when actually you're thirsty. Have trouble consuming that much water? Add fruit to your water, get a fun water bottle or even mark with a sharpie times of the day on the bottle where your water should be down to that point to keep you on track.
2. Nuts
Healthy fats like nuts and peanut butter are great for your body, just remember portion control! Pack a bag of almonds or peanut butter to put on apple slices to keep moving throughout your day. You need fat nutrients to stay full and to burn excess fat.
3. Energy Bars or Shakes
No time to eat a full meal, but have the appetite for one? Instead of indulging on every spare snack you have in your bags, have a bar or shake to replace your meal. They are surprisingly very filling and can offer a lot of protein for your body. Don't miss out and feel hungry the entire day just because you're busy! The hungrier you get, the more desperate you become and are more likely to make an unhealthy food choice.
4. Meal Prep
There are a lot of misconceptions around meal prepping – it's actually very simple and most meals can we made all in a single pan! My favorite meal to prep is shrimp with asparagus and rice. After making a full pan of it, I can fill about five to-go containers with it. These are great to pop in my bag and heat up for lunch, or to have a nice home cooked meal already prepared if I come home late one night. Find a recipe that works for you and have your meals planned out ahead of time. It will be one less thing for you to worry about while on-the-go!
5. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt contains more calcium than milk and is a great source of protein, causing you to feel full faster. With many flavors to pick from and so easy to pack for on-the-go, greek yogurt is a great snack to energize you for a mid-day pick me up.
6. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate not only promotes blood flow to the brain, but it tastes pretty darn amazing. Dark chocolate contains a natural stimulant theobromine, which is similar to coffee, to give you a good, energized buzz. Drizzle it on fruit, eat it alone or add it to your yogurt or oatmeal!
7. Bananas
Bananas have so many upsides to eating them. Not only can they improve your mood and give you a well-needed energy boost, but they also can help aid stomach aches and overcome depression. If your day has really got you down, grab for a banana!
8. Carrots and Celery
Help fit some more veggies into your everyday snacking! Cut up some celery or carrots and throw them in a to-go container along with some peanut butter or low-fat ranch dressing. You will feel much less guilty when choosing this snack!
