Conveniant energy boosting foods

Chandi Schwab
Even the healthiest among us are not full of energy all of the time. Throughout the day, we all go through difficulties in relation to energy. Therefore, we turn to caffeine-filled drinks like coffee, or sugar filled items like soda, or chocolates to give us a quick burst of energy. These may be effective in the short-term, but in the long-term it will leave you drained. Not only is the energy short lived, these artificial energy boosters are just not good for us.

That is not to say that snacks cannot give us the energy we need. There are certain foods that we can eat that will give us true energy and not an artificial boost that leaves only after a few minutes. Here are some coveniant and easy to find foods to try the next time you find yourself dragging:

* Bananas – A banana is a perfect nutritious snack when you are on the go. It is easily portable and tastes great. In addition, it can provide you with energy when you need it the most. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates, and they contain lots of potassium.

* Whole-grain cereal(especially oatmeal) – Cereals that contain whole grains contain large amounts of fiber. Unlike simple sugars, the carbohydrates contained in those cereals provide energy gradually. That means that instead of a massive yet short burst of energy, you will get a more moderate amount of energy that lasts several hours.

* Bran muffins – A bran muffin also provides lots of fiber and carbohydrates. If you do not have time for cereal, this is a good alternative.

* Nuts – All types of nuts are wonderful energy boosters. They contain carbohydrates, protein and fat, providing for both quick and long-term energy increases.

* Peanut butter crackers – Peanut butter is high in fat and protein. Crackers contain carbohydrates. Put the two together, and you have an ideal energy-boosting snack.

* Trail mix – Trail mix contains nuts, with their multiple sources of energy, and dried fruits. Dried fruit packs plenty of fiber and carbohydrates into a small and easily transportable package.

* Spinach – Particularly in women, a lack of energy may be attributable to low iron levels. Spinach contains a great deal of iron, and it provides a number of essential vitamins.

* Yogurt – Yogurt is high in magnesium, which is a key player in energy production. It also aids in the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates.

* Dark chocolate – Milk chocolate is notorious for providing a short-lived energy burst. Nevertheless, dark chocolate contains less sugar, fewer calories and more beneficial antioxidants, while providing the same energy-producing compounds found in milk chocolate. Still, it is best to consume dark chocolate in moderation.

If you need a quick pick-me-up, coffee and high sugary snacks are not the way to go. Choosing the right energy snacks can keep you going for hours, therefore leaving you full of energy to perform your daily tasks at optimal efficiency. Natural energy is much better because unlike caffeine it will not abandon us after a few minutes and leave us feeling worse than we did before