Three Things to Eat to Keep the Midday Slump Away

You work hard, but sometimes it’s inevitable: the midday slump. You get through about half of your workday and then all of a sudden you feel extremely tired and ready for a nap. Sound familiar? Instead of reaching for a coffee, there are a variety of different foods you can keep on hand to ward away this feeling and keep you full, focused, and energized to finish off your day strong! Today, we want to share five different foods and drinks you can prepare for yourself to keep you awake throughout your work day and working at your best. 

Before we jump into the foods that can help alleviate the midday slump, it’s important to note that there are a variety of other reasons that could also be causing your drop in energy during the day. As the Sleep Doctor notes, stress, poor sleep, a sedentary lifestyle, sleep disorders, or an unhealthy diet can all contribute to this fatigue, so working to correct this as best as possible can also improve your focus, energy levels, and leave you feeling at your best all day!

Three Foods and Drinks to Help Beat Afternoon Fatigue

Complex Carbohydrates

If you’re like many of us, you can’t resist the temptation of a good bagel or delicious bread. Unfortunately, these could be a strong culprit for the feeling of exhaustion you find yourself feeling around the mid-day mark of your workday. Thankfully, though, complex carbohydrates are here to help! Complex carbs, according to Medline Plus, are foods made up of sugar molecules strung together in complex chains. These foods typically contain whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and are turned into glucose which is then formed into energy. Including more foods with more complex carbohydrates can help provide a steady source of energy throughout the day, leaving you with more energy to get your tasks done without the need for a snooze.

Protein

Another food type you can include in your diet to help boost your energy levels is protein! This macronutrient can help regulate your appetite and even support higher and healthier brain function, allowing you to stay focused and be on your best foot forward as you make your way through busy days. Additionally, protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and providing long-lasting energy while providing additional nutrients like iron, hormones, and enzymes that help your body function at its best. Foods that are high in protein, such as lean meats, fish, nuts, and beans, can help keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals!

Dark Chocolate

Interestingly enough, including some dark chocolate in your diet can be an easy and still effective way of helping to prevent the midday slump! Dark chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine, and polyphenols, all of which can help increase alertness and focus without leading to an extra crash. Dark chocolate also helps to contribute to the production of serotonin within your body, a mood-boosting chemical that can also keep your exhaustion at bay!

All in all, incorporating these foods into your diet can help keep you energized and focused throughout all of the different tasks you have during the day. As we mentioned earlier, however, it's important to remember that diet alone cannot replace the importance of rest and exercise for overall health and well-being. Taking care of your body, getting enough restful sleep, and following a healthy diet that includes a variety of whole foods can help provide the energy and nutrients that will help you to stay focused and productive, and at your best will make all of the difference.

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