Get an Energy Infusion

With these snacks, you’ll get an extra energy boost—quick!

With so many snack options out there, it can be tricky to find healthy ones. Pre-packaged snacks or those you find in the vending machine are often high in calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats and low in fiber, protein, and nutrients. Sure, those unhealthy options may taste good and fill you up enough to last until your next meal, but those highly processed snack foods contribute to weight gain, health problems, and low energy.

Ever wonder why you feel tired all the time? There’s a good chance it’s related to the foods you eat. The right snack may be the boost you need to focus, get work done, and power through your busy day.

Instead of reaching for pre-packaged, highly processed snack foods that do your body no favors, make the effort to eat one of these healthy snack options.

Nuts and Seeds

Filled with fiber, healthy fats, and protein that work fill you up and give you energy, nuts and seeds are also rich in valuable nutrients. You never know when you’ll crave a snack, so keep a stash in the car, at your desk, or in the kitchen cabinets for a quick and simple snack that’s crunchy and salty. Whether you prefer almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, or peanuts, you can’t go wrong when it comes to nuts. Just remember that they’ve got quite a few calories, so enjoy them, but enjoy them in moderation.

Greek Yogurt

Thanks to individual serving-size containers, yogurt manufacturers have made it easy to eat yogurt as a snack on-the-go. Unfortunately, many yogurts are dangerously delicious, filled with exorbitant amounts of added sugars. If you have a thing for yogurt, Greek yogurt is typically a healthier bet. High in protein, Greek yogurt is an energizing, cold snack. Just make sure to enjoy the varieties made with minimal amounts of added sugar. Then add fruit, nuts, or granola for an extra energy boost.

Fruits and Veggies

When you need a pick-me-up snack, you can’t go wrong with fruits and vegetables. Low in calories and high in fiber and nutrients, fruits and vegetables are one of the easiest snacks to grab on the go. To make fruits and veggies a regular part of your snacking routine, keep easy-to-eat options on hand. Apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, berries, carrot sticks, pepper slices, cucumber slices, or celery sticks are all great ideas. Get an even bigger energy punch by dipping it in hummus or nut butter.

Popcorn

Made of whole-grains, air-popped popcorn is a complex carb that fills you up and keeps your blood sugar levels stable long-term. Avoid adding much butter or salt, which can quickly make popcorn a not-so-healthy snack. Instead, add spices or herbs for extra flavor. Made this way, popcorn is low in calories, which means you can fill up on it without feeling guilty. Pop your own popcorn or choose a low-fat, single-serve microwavable variety to keep on hand.

Energy Bars

Have an upcoming athletic event and need to fuel your body? A convenient way to boost energy is with an energy bar. Reach for an energy bar made with all-natural ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, and whole grains and without unnecessary added sweeteners or artificial ingredients. Not planning to push your body hard anytime soon? You’ll be better off skipping the energy bar.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

The white and yolk of an egg provide an amazing combination of healthy fats, protein, and nutrients. Scrambled or poached eggs are good for you, but aren’t readily available. Hard-boiled eggs, on the other hand, are easy to eat as a snack on-the-go. Once a week, take a few minutes to hard-boil enough eggs to keep on hand for the week ahead.