Getting through the 2:00 p.m. slump can sometimes be a challenge. Energy can be scarce. Attention wanes and the thought of a luxurious nap seeps into your every thought. But, there are ways to avoid the mid-afternoon slump.
Energy Eating
It’s true what they say, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” What goes into your tummy in the morning will impact how you feel come mid-afternoon. A sugary breakfast will leave you wanting by noon. But, a breakfast of proteins, fibres and fruit will ensure you keep zipping along through the afternoon.
Try combining yogurt, milk, eggs or cheese with a high-fibre grain and fruits.
Smart snacking is a good way to avoid the “crash-and-burn” of mid-day. Snacking keeps blood sugar steady. Toss together a complex carbohydrate with a protein and a touch of fat.
Try...
• Yogurt with nuts
• Cut up apples and pears
• Bean dip with whole grain crackers
• Fruit, if you have a sweet tooth
Power up your lunch
Remember the old adage, “eat your veggies” and add a dose of protein with a bit of fat for real energy. Vegetables are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants. Protein builds muscle and is slower to digest. Avoid heavy carbohydrates like breads or bagels.
Pack broccoli, red and yellow peppers, and tomatoes. Try a filling salad full of lean protein like fish, chicken, beans or legumes.
Always important: Water
Drink lots of water. Dehydration sometimes feels like fatigue, so if you’re well-hydrated you’ll have more energy.
Try one glass when you get up, one glass before and one during a meal, and one glass before you go to bed. And, have a glass on your desk at work at all times.
The caffeine crash
Okay, we can’t give it up either but try to limit caffeine intake. A small cup in the morning is fine, as is a second cup mid-morning, but drinking coffee throughout the day will cause your energy to crash, as you repeatedly “come down” from your caffeine high.
Try tea for lunch – soothing and uplifting, with just 60 mg of caffeine per cup.
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