Have you ever found yourself hitting a slump late in the day?
We’ve all been there, and let’s be honest — it sucks.
While it’s tempting to reach for that chocolate bar, it will only leave you feeling more sluggish and unproductive later. That’s not what you want.
Instead, try one of these 6 healthy snacks designed to keep you energized for summer.
Healthy snacks to keep you going
1. Nuts and dried fruit
Nuts and dried fruit are a tasty portable snack that’s great for your energy levels.
This tasty combo has a great balance of healthy fats, protein, and carbs to help you power through your day. What’s more, they’re both high in fiber to keep you full between meals.
You can also add seeds like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds if you’d like.
2. Jerky
Jerky is a delicious protein-packed snack that can satisfy your appetite during the day. While beef is the most popular, you can also purchase chicken, salmon, and even vegan-friendly jerky.
Jerky is also high in iron, which can help stabilize your blood sugar and energy levels.
When you’re buying jerky, look for one that’s low in added sugar and has few additives.
3. Avocado with toast or crackers
If you need another reason to eat avocado, here’s one just for you.
Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, B vitamins, and fiber, helping you power through your day and keep you satisfied between meals.
Although avocados are great alone, they make a better energy booster when paired with a slice of toast or wholemeal crackers for extra fiber to keep you satisfied for longer.
4. Apples with nut butter
Apples and peanut butter is a classic combo that’s great for your energy levels.
They’re both great in their own right, but together, they make an ideal combination of protein, fat, and fiber.
On top of this, both apples and peanut butter are packed with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and health-promoting plant compounds that are great for your wellbeing.
5. Hummus with carrots
Hummus is a tasty dip made from chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini.
It’s a great source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber, and is loaded with energy-boosting vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, iron, and zinc, making it a great pick-me-up.
Hummus goes great with most vegetables, but exceptionally well with carrots for their crunchiness. Carrots also provide you with extra fiber and a healthy dose of vitamin A.
6. Homemade energy balls
If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, energy balls could be precisely what you need.
Energy balls are bite-sized balls made with nutritious ingredients such as oats, honey, peanut butter, and dried fruit. They’re typically packed with protein and fiber and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.
If you’d like to make energy balls at home, you can try the following recipe.
Simply pulse the following ingredients in a food processor and roll the mixture into balls:
- 1/4 cup of cashews
- 3/4 cup of almonds
- 1 and 1/2 cup of dates
- 1/3 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil
Each ball contains around 100 calories and can be stored in the refrigerator for later.
If you’re looking for a healthy pick-me-up, try one of the snacks above. They all pack a healthy amount of fats, carbs, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.
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