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14 Healthy Snacks To Eat When You Hit That Afternoon Slump

Updated on March 20, 2024

These nutritionist-approved foods will keep your energy up so you can finish the day strong.

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Best Foods For Afternoon Energy

There’s nothing more distracting than an afternoon energy slump. Instead of rifling through your drawer for gummy bears or plucking an office doughnut, plan out balanced and satisfying snacks to power through your day until dinner.

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Hummus

Creamy hummus makes a nutritious and crave-worthy snack. Dunk carrot sticks, sliced cucumbers and bell pepper strips in this satisfying dip.

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Oats

This whole grain treat isn’t just for breakfast. Cozy up with a warm bowl of oatmeal (or a cool batch of overnight oats) sprinkled with fruit, nuts or seeds for a fiber-filled afternoon pick-me-up.

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Avocados

Avocados, full of healthy fat, make for wonderful snacks. Mash and slather ripe avocados on crusty bread or cut in half, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning and eat right out of the skin with a spoon.

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Trail Mix

Name your favorite combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, pretzels and dry cereal. Then, keep your customized trail mix on hand, portioned in bags or storage containers for immediate munching when those hunger pangs set in.

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Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-cooked eggs make for a portable and easy make-ahead snack. Enjoy both the whites and the yolks – they contain equal amounts of hunger-fighting protein. You can even make them in your air fryer, or steep in a savory tea-soy sauce for added flavor.

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Cottage Cheese

One small container of this dairy favorite contains almost 20 grams of hunger-defeating protein. Dress up with sweet or savory toppings for hours of energy.

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Nut Butter

A heaping spoonful of nut butter along with apple slices or a few pretzel chips is a healthy snack that feels like a decadent treat.

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High-Fiber Fruit

Fresh fruit offers fluid and fiber – both will help you feel full and energized for the latter half of the day. Stock up on berries, apples, pears and kiwi. Mix things up and change your featured fruit with the seasons for the best price and flavor.

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Cereal and Milk

Lower-sugar cereal can make for a fiber- and protein-filled snack that helps fight off an afternoon sugar craving way better than candy or cookies.

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Roasted Chickpeas

Instead of greasy chips, opt for crispy bites of well-seasoned chickpeas. A few small handfuls of this plant-based protein make for a perfect savory snack.

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Yogurt

Protein, calcium and tummy-pleasing probiotics make yogurt an ideal snack option. Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in lactose, while traditional yogurt is fortified with vitamin D — check ingredient labels to find the best one for you.

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Tuna

A portable and convenient serving of protein and omega-3s all wrapped up into a resealable pouch or can. Look for brands that offer fun flavors like lemon pepper, jalapeño and sundried tomato.

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Jerky

Sink your teeth into the ultimate one-ingredient, hand-held snack. Jerky is a shelf-stable and affordable high-protein food that comes in a wide variety of flavors.

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String Cheese

A surprisingly good way to get a protein-rich snack, cheese sticks typically clock in at 80 calories and seven grams of protein apiece. Enjoy with a fruit or a handful of whole-grain crackers.

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