Mehmet K.You wouldn’t take your car on a roadtrip when the low fuel light is on. First chance you got, you’d swing over to the gas station and give yourself the fuel you need for the journey ahead. You should treat your body the same way; if your body needs fuel, seek it out. However, when you just need a kick of energy, you shouldn’t just reach for a cup of coffee or an energy drink: there are plenty of foods that pack a caloric or nutritional punch to get you through the hardest parts of your day. Here are some of your go-to meals and snacks to get you over the hump!
Blueberries
We all work with someone who insists on bringing ziplock baggies of superfoods as lunch everyday. It’s admirable, but it never gets easy seeing them slurp down hardboiled eggs and trailmix to get through their day. That being said, if you bring a bag of blueberries to work with you, it would be an understandable and worthwhile snack.
This is because blueberries are packed with helpful vitamins and nutrients. In fact, 100 grams of blueberries contains 14.5 grams of carbohydrates (carbs); carbs provide you with fast-acting energy to fuel your body for mental and physical workouts throughout the day. They are also a rich source of vitamin C, which helps you repair your muscles, protects your cells from damage, and reduce inflammation. While small, blueberries are also packed with flavor, making them a great addition to any lunch, or even as a scrumptious standalone snack.
Spinach
I think it’s safe to say that Popeye the sailor is an idol to health fans everywhere. After all, after he eats some spinach, he’s able to do just about anything. Well, as it turns out, there may just be something to his near-mythical ability to recuperate after downing some healthy green veggies.
Spinach is packed with minerals and vitamins to help your body function at tip-top shape, and for you to feel refreshed throughout the day. For one thing, spinach contains calcium, which helps you build bone mass, and keeps your heart pumping and muscles strong.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal — which is a food packed with potassium, iron, and calcium — is nearly as good going in as it is going out. Yes, that means exactly what you think it means. According to Piedmont Health, due to the amount of fiber in oatmeal, it is incredibly helpful when it comes to loosening your stool. It’s time to say hello to oatmeal and goodbye to constipation! Of course, the nutrients and vitamins also mean oatmeal will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed throughout the day.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe: difficult to spell, but easy to eat. This delicious fruit is packed with antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins that can help you in a multitude of ways. The juicy superfood can help hydrate you while keeping you full, making it a powerful one-two punch of nutritiousness.
Cantaloupes are a great source of vitamin A, and, according to the National Institutes of Health, is important for a great number of bodily functions. For one thing, it helps build and strengthen your immune system, which helps you to combat diseases and stay healthy. For another, it helps your heart and other organs function at tip-top shape. While vitamin A is found in a number of different foods, cantaloupe is packed with the stuff, making it a particularly healthy food option.
Salmon
We couldn’t end this list without the perennial fishy favorite, salmon. This healthy seafood is rich with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and key nutrients. That protein will help your muscles grow, and improve overall bodily function as well. The omega-3 fatty acids helps to keep your brain operating at a high level, like a cup of coffee just for your neurons. On top of all of that, salmon is low-calorie and full of vitamin D, which can help build and strengthen your bones and immune system.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for healthy snacks or key ingredients for your next meal prep session, these five foods are sure to help you feeling energized and fit for any challenge throughout the day. Check out our other blogs for more info!
