There are a handful of eating habits (and nutrients) that can boost our energy level—as well as ways we’re unknowingly slowing ourselves down. Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, helped us determine simple steps to feel more energetic, improve our digestion, and optimize our overall health. The good news? All three of her recommendations are incredibly easy. Happy snacking!
The Best Eating Habits for Boosting Energy
If you routinely reach for avocado toast—which, while delicious and nutritious, lacks adequate protein—add on poached eggs, smoked salmon, or mashed beans (like Hummus and cucumber toast) to activate the muscle-rebuilding phase. You’ll feel fuller for longer, too; so you say goodbye to that mid-morning stomach grumble. RELATED: 5 High-Protein Breakfasts to Keep You Going All Morning If you’re constantly hungry at night, it might be that your dinner is too light; or you may be eating for other reasons (like boredom or out of habit). To remedy this, shut down the kitchen at least two hours before you go to bed. Coupled with other healthy sleep habits, this can help optimize your energy level. RELATED: 10 Foods That Sabotage Your Sleep Your body is designed to digest and metabolize food to get the energy it needs. If you’re routinely eating highly processed foods over whole foods, you’re shortchanging this process, making you feel lethargic and low in energy. Cooking can be therapeutic and is a great way to bond with loved ones, too. RELATED: 35 Quick and Easy Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight Make your own quick snack recipes from scratch, like no-bake seed and nut bars that have over 6 grams of protein plus fiber with all natural ingredients. Whipping up some wholesome homemade snacks when you have a little time can keep you sane and healthy down the line, and help you resist heavily processed foods that are too easy to grab. Also, planning meals in advance is a great way to keep healthful whole foods available, which helps you drastically cut back on the heavily processed stuff.
