10 Healthy Foods to Eat When You Hit an Afternoon Slump

Keep your energy up to finish the day strong.

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By: Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., A.T.C.

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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, plan out balanced and satisfying snacks to power through your day until dinner.

String Cheese

A surprisingly good way to get a protein-rich snack — cheese sticks have 80 calories and 7 grams of protein apiece. Enjoy with a fruit or a handful of whole grain crackers.

Hummus

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

Oatmeal

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.

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 your diet.

Avocado

You may think of avocados only as taco toppers but they also make for wonderful snacks, full of healthy fat. Mash and slather ripe avos on crusty bread or cut in half, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning and eat right out of the skin with a spoon.

Trail Mix

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

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.

Tuna Pouches

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

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.

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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