6 Natural Energy Foods to Revive Yourself at Work

Have you ever been so tired at work that you fell asleep at your desk? You put your head down for just a minute and, well, you wake up with drool all over the report you were working on. Not only does sleeping at your desk look bad, it can be gross (hello, drool!)

Most of us don’t have the luxury of shutting our office door and taking a cat nap during the day. And sleeping more at night might not be the solution. If you’re like me you have a stash of natural energy foods by your desk in case you need to fight off a growling stomach. Here is a list of foods that give you energy, fill you up,  and keep you alert and functioning at the same time.

Oatmeal

I keep a box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal (raisins & spice) on my bookshelf. They make a great breakfast or afternoon snack-especially in the winter. They’re easy to make in the office microwave and are a good source of fiber and iron. Plus they’re low in fat so you don’t have to worry about the “secretary spread.”

Almonds

These little nuts are great! They include monounsaturated fats that provide essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s) that produce an alert mental state. A single serving of almonds is about 12 nuts-a good little snack to wake you up even if you’re not hungry.

Yogurt

I keep a couple of my favorite yogurts (Dannon Lite & Fit) in the fridge. Studies have shown that magnesium-rich foods, like yogurt, can provide an energy boost. Plus it’s a great source of calcium-especially important for women.

Fruit

I eat a banana a day. Fruit is a great source of carbohydrates, which give you a quick boost, but is also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. And fruit (especially bananas) are easy to take with you-they don’t even need a baggie!

Popcorn

I’m not talking about the movie-kind that’s covered in butter. I’m talking about the healthy, low-fat kind. Popcorn has a lot of fiber, which helps you feel full faster and it’s easy to make. You can even buy single-serve packets these days. And you can always sprinkle on seasoning to give it a little extra flavor.

Hummus and Veggies

Carrot sticks are so last season. My favorite thing to do is slice red, orange, and yellow peppers and use hummus as a dip. Hummus comes in lots of flavors to suit any palate and is a great source of protein and low in calories: 1/4 of a cup is about 100 calories.

High Energy Foods

High Energy Foods

Here is a handy list of high energy foods which you could attempt to integrate into your daily diet. A high energy food can supply your body with additional energy needed to get through the day.

Vegetables



The list of vegetables which supply your body with high amounts of energy is exhaustive.

The main foods in the vegetable area which provide high amounts of energy are; sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and spinach.
 


Nuts

Some nuts are a great energy source and are often very suited to a quick snack. Almonds, peanuts and soy nuts are perfect for this example.

Yogurt

Yogurt is full of vitamin-B, and this vitamin helps your body convert other nutrients into energy. You should not eat excessive amounts of yogurt due to the fat content. You could eat a nut yogurt to mix the yogurt and nut energy foods into one snack.

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of energy, and this food will supply a high amount of protein throughout the working day. Some experts advise not to eat more than three eggs a week, so try to mix your weeks food plan up with other high energy foods.

Orange & Other Fruit Juice



Vitamin C can help to reduce levels of fatigue, which will keep you going all day long. As with many other vitamins, too much vitamin C can be bad for your body, so drink these juices in moderation.

Citrus fruits are also very good in providing vitamin C, a great example of this is the main ingredient in the fairly new lemon detox diet.

Beans & Lentils

Beans and lentils are a great source of potassium and carbohydrates. Kidney beans, lentils, baked beans and many others provide a great source of energy for your body.

Seeds

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are also a great source of energy for your body. These are great as a stand-alone snack, and also combined with other ingredients in nut bars.