Get the energy to power through your day with these clean eating high energy snacks!
Good news for snackers! Small, frequent snacks can be beneficial to your health. That’s right: eating healthy snacks between meals can keep your body working at its full potential. When you go too long without food, your body runs out of available energy. It’s usually around the four or five hour mark that your body begins to crash. If you go this long without food, it slows your metabolism, leaves you feeling sluggish, and triggers cravings and binges. When you go too long without replenishing your food stores, you’re more likely to overeat later.
In order to keep your metabolism going, your blood sugar stable, and your energy levels up, eat small, high-energy snacks throughout the day.
These 5 high energy snacks will perk you up and help you get through anything! Don’t rely on coffee and other highly caffeinated drinks to stay awake. Get energy the right way with these 5 natural coffee alternatives.
1. Trail Mix
Trail mix is popular among hikers and adventurers because it provides quick energy and much-needed nutrients. Many trail mix varieties exist, but they usually consist of mixed nuts and dried fruit. Dried fruit digests quickly and its sugar is broken down for fast energy. Nuts take longer to digest, which means your stomach won’t begin rumbling for a while. Nuts and fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Keep your nutrient stores high to fight off cravings and binges.
2. Fruit & Protein Smoothie
Smoothie is the perfect high-energy snack. Highly customizable, incredibly refreshing, and packed with natural energy, a smoothie can help you power through your tasks and get through the day. Look for recipes without added sugar. Instead, stick to the natural sugars found in frozen fruit. Greek yogurt and protein powder are great ways to make your smoothie snack truly filling. This Morning Power-Up Energy Shake is thick and creamy, made with smooth blended banana, almond butter, and Greek yogurt. It contains a whopping 20 grams of protein and only 19 grams of net carbs. For a low-calorie option, try this Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie that’s only 76 calories per serving.
3. Peanut Butter on a Rice Cake
Slather a thick layer of peanut butter on a rice cake and you have a delicious and filling snack. Peanut butter is rich in healthy fats and helps keep you full for hours. Make sure you buy natural peanut butter that lists only peanuts (or roasted peanuts) under its ingredients.
4. Banana & Nut Butter
Bananas and nut butter are a combination made in snack heaven! Bananas a great source of natural energy. Their sugar breaks down quickly to get your going before you crash, while potassium helps balance out sodium. Combine it with the healthy fats in nuts and you have a snack that will give you energy now and keep you full later! Try nut and banana bites with this almond butter banana mini sandwich recipe.
5. Nuts & Seeds
Get a boost of energy and antioxidants with some nuts and seeds. A handful of almonds or sunflower seeds can ward off hunger. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try making homemade nut bars or energy bites. These tasty chocolate coconut almond balls are sweetened with dates and are the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth. These no-bake oatmeal chocolate chip energy bites are another fun snack. With the perfect touch of chocolate and a slight crunch from unsweetened coconut and chia seeds, these bites are both delicious and nutritious.