Healthy Snacks to Beat an Afternoon Energy Slump

CloseAs the afternoon rolls along (or drags on, depending on your take), the office candy bowl sees an uptick in traffic. But a new study shows that it’s not sugar, but protein that you should reach for to beat an afternoon slump.The study, from the University of Cambridge in England and published in the November 2011 issue ofNeuron, found that while glucose (sugar) blocks certain neurons that help you feel awake, the amino acids in protein prevent that from happening. So, if you eat some carbs at lunch, a protein-rich afternoon snack may keep you from feeling sleepy. And since protein helps keep you feeling full longer, that snack might tide you over better than a sugary one and keep you from snacking too much throughout the afternoon.Watch us make 3 low-calorie snacksPictured:Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie1. SmoothieTry a smoothie made with silken tofu or yogurt or thisBanana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie.Pictured:Edamame Nibbles2. EdamameTry eating steamed edamame with coarse salt or this recipe forEdamame Nibbles.3. Spiced Chickpea “Nuts"Try this flavorful, crunchy recipe forSpiced Chickpea “Nuts"4. A Hard-Boiled EggTry eating a hard-boiled egg-eat it plain or gussy it up:Guacamole-Stuffed Eggs.Pictured:Gorp5. Trail Mix & Dried FruitTry trail mix and dried fruit, or our healthyGorprecipe.Pictured:Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites6. Veggies & HummusTry veggies and hummus orFeta & Herb Dip with CruditesPictured: Turkey Rollups7. Turkey RollupsTry these Turkey Rollups-Spread 2 slices of deli turkey breast with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney) each and season with pepper. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 sesame breadsticks.8. Plain YogurtPlain yogurt snack makes a great snack. Try Greek yogurt, which delivers more protein than regular yogurt.Banana & Peanut ButterBanana and peanut butter together make a filling snack with lots of protein.Open-Faced Tuna SandwichSkip the two slices of bread and have an open-face tuna sandwich.11. Nonfat LatteSip on a nonfat latte (decaf or regular) to help you power through your afternoon slump.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

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As the afternoon rolls along (or drags on, depending on your take), the office candy bowl sees an uptick in traffic. But a new study shows that it’s not sugar, but protein that you should reach for to beat an afternoon slump.The study, from the University of Cambridge in England and published in the November 2011 issue ofNeuron, found that while glucose (sugar) blocks certain neurons that help you feel awake, the amino acids in protein prevent that from happening. So, if you eat some carbs at lunch, a protein-rich afternoon snack may keep you from feeling sleepy. And since protein helps keep you feeling full longer, that snack might tide you over better than a sugary one and keep you from snacking too much throughout the afternoon.Watch us make 3 low-calorie snacksPictured:Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie1. SmoothieTry a smoothie made with silken tofu or yogurt or thisBanana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie.Pictured:Edamame Nibbles2. EdamameTry eating steamed edamame with coarse salt or this recipe forEdamame Nibbles.3. Spiced Chickpea “Nuts"Try this flavorful, crunchy recipe forSpiced Chickpea “Nuts"4. A Hard-Boiled EggTry eating a hard-boiled egg-eat it plain or gussy it up:Guacamole-Stuffed Eggs.Pictured:Gorp5. Trail Mix & Dried FruitTry trail mix and dried fruit, or our healthyGorprecipe.Pictured:Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites6. Veggies & HummusTry veggies and hummus orFeta & Herb Dip with CruditesPictured: Turkey Rollups7. Turkey RollupsTry these Turkey Rollups-Spread 2 slices of deli turkey breast with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney) each and season with pepper. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 sesame breadsticks.8. Plain YogurtPlain yogurt snack makes a great snack. Try Greek yogurt, which delivers more protein than regular yogurt.Banana & Peanut ButterBanana and peanut butter together make a filling snack with lots of protein.Open-Faced Tuna SandwichSkip the two slices of bread and have an open-face tuna sandwich.11. Nonfat LatteSip on a nonfat latte (decaf or regular) to help you power through your afternoon slump.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

As the afternoon rolls along (or drags on, depending on your take), the office candy bowl sees an uptick in traffic. But a new study shows that it’s not sugar, but protein that you should reach for to beat an afternoon slump.The study, from the University of Cambridge in England and published in the November 2011 issue ofNeuron, found that while glucose (sugar) blocks certain neurons that help you feel awake, the amino acids in protein prevent that from happening. So, if you eat some carbs at lunch, a protein-rich afternoon snack may keep you from feeling sleepy. And since protein helps keep you feeling full longer, that snack might tide you over better than a sugary one and keep you from snacking too much throughout the afternoon.Watch us make 3 low-calorie snacksPictured:Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie1. SmoothieTry a smoothie made with silken tofu or yogurt or thisBanana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie.Pictured:Edamame Nibbles2. EdamameTry eating steamed edamame with coarse salt or this recipe forEdamame Nibbles.3. Spiced Chickpea “Nuts"Try this flavorful, crunchy recipe forSpiced Chickpea “Nuts"4. A Hard-Boiled EggTry eating a hard-boiled egg-eat it plain or gussy it up:Guacamole-Stuffed Eggs.Pictured:Gorp5. Trail Mix & Dried FruitTry trail mix and dried fruit, or our healthyGorprecipe.Pictured:Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites6. Veggies & HummusTry veggies and hummus orFeta & Herb Dip with CruditesPictured: Turkey Rollups7. Turkey RollupsTry these Turkey Rollups-Spread 2 slices of deli turkey breast with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney) each and season with pepper. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 sesame breadsticks.8. Plain YogurtPlain yogurt snack makes a great snack. Try Greek yogurt, which delivers more protein than regular yogurt.Banana & Peanut ButterBanana and peanut butter together make a filling snack with lots of protein.Open-Faced Tuna SandwichSkip the two slices of bread and have an open-face tuna sandwich.11. Nonfat LatteSip on a nonfat latte (decaf or regular) to help you power through your afternoon slump.

As the afternoon rolls along (or drags on, depending on your take), the office candy bowl sees an uptick in traffic. But a new study shows that it’s not sugar, but protein that you should reach for to beat an afternoon slump.

The study, from the University of Cambridge in England and published in the November 2011 issue ofNeuron, found that while glucose (sugar) blocks certain neurons that help you feel awake, the amino acids in protein prevent that from happening. So, if you eat some carbs at lunch, a protein-rich afternoon snack may keep you from feeling sleepy. And since protein helps keep you feeling full longer, that snack might tide you over better than a sugary one and keep you from snacking too much throughout the afternoon.

Watch us make 3 low-calorie snacks

Pictured:Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie

1. Smoothie

Try a smoothie made with silken tofu or yogurt or thisBanana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie.

Pictured:Edamame Nibbles

2. Edamame

Try eating steamed edamame with coarse salt or this recipe forEdamame Nibbles.

3. Spiced Chickpea “Nuts”

Try this flavorful, crunchy recipe forSpiced Chickpea “Nuts”

4. A Hard-Boiled Egg

Try eating a hard-boiled egg-eat it plain or gussy it up:Guacamole-Stuffed Eggs.

Pictured:Gorp

5. Trail Mix & Dried Fruit

Try trail mix and dried fruit, or our healthyGorprecipe.

Pictured:Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites

6. Veggies & Hummus

Try veggies and hummus orFeta & Herb Dip with Crudites

Pictured: Turkey Rollups

7. Turkey Rollups

Try these Turkey Rollups-Spread 2 slices of deli turkey breast with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney) each and season with pepper. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 sesame breadsticks.

8. Plain Yogurt

Plain yogurt snack makes a great snack. Try Greek yogurt, which delivers more protein than regular yogurt.

Banana & Peanut Butter

Banana and peanut butter together make a filling snack with lots of protein.

Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich

Skip the two slices of bread and have an open-face tuna sandwich.

11. Nonfat Latte

Sip on a nonfat latte (decaf or regular) to help you power through your afternoon slump.

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Tell us why!