Snacks that Keep your Batteries Charged
Staying energized with snacks?
While we sleep, our body rests and fasts and this is why blood sugar levels often reach a low by 7 AM. Many of us wake up at this time and get going to be at work by 9. Say you are part of the minority who enjoys a balanced breakfast in the morning: by the time you’ve reached work and settled in for the day, you’ve already exerted yourself quite a bit, both physically and mentally. Blood sugar levels are often dipping around 10 AM and by the time lunch rolls around you are positively hangry- a feeling that results from low blood sugar.
Because low blood sugar makes us feel light-headed, anxious and hungry, we often reach for the easiest, quickest meal in an act of desperation. This is quite often a carb-overload that spikes our blood sugar and leaves us, again, fatigued even though we just ate. There must be some way around this madness! Snacking is a good solution for people who need to stay energized throughout the day.
Snacking done right
Snacking doesn’t deserve the bad rap it has in many wellness cicles. A properly timed snack will:
- Balance blood sugar levels
- Fend off hunger
- Prevent the release of stress chemicals
But what is snacking done right? We’ve come up with a checklist that can help you build a snacking plan:
- 150-200 calories
- A mix of carbs, protein, healthy fats
- No refined sugar or saturated fats
- Nutrient-density is important
With this criteria, the candy bar doesn’t look so substantial after all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have chocolate! Here are some healthy snack ideas:
- Find your favorite trail mix and keep a bag at your office.
- Nut butter with an apple or banana.
- Yogurt parfait
- Quinoa based snacks
- Hard boiled egg with hummus
Even a perfectly timed peanut butter and jelly sandwich can save the day! Snacking is one of the best ways to stay energized throughout the day and keep stress at bay. Keeping energy up and stress down are two principles that align with the work we do as chiropractors- if you are suffering from chronic low energy levels, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.
Dr. Chris Hayes, D.C.