We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if you don’t fuel up properly at lunchtime you will be reaching for a coffee by mid-afternoon and may well feel exhausted hours before it’s time for bed.
We have had a look at the best lunchbox boosters and healthy snacks that not only taste great but give you the energy to keep going until tea time.
Salmon
Salmon is well-known for having high levels of Omega-3 which help lower cholesterol, but it is also rich in niacin, riboflavin and Vitamin B6 which makes it great for lunch. This combination of nutrients helps your body convert food into energy, as well as burn fat. Eat with an avocado salad and brown rice (which is high in manganese) and not only will it taste amazing, it will also stop that 4 pm crash.
Spinach
This green superfood is fab for lunch because while it is extremely low in fat, it helps restore energy and vitality, which can put an end to your afternoon slumps. Spinach is also packed with the iron that helps keep oxygen flowing to your brain and around your body, which in turn stops you from feeling tired. Whether you include the leaves to a salad, add to a beetroot and tuna wrap or pop in a smoothie, you can be confident that they will serve you, and your energy levels, well.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes might feel like an evening meal food, but they are really good for lunch because they contain a shed load of energy boosting Vitamin B. The energy from sweet potatoes is released slowly after eating them so you will feel full for longer and won’t get that bloated feeling either.
Pumpkin Seeds
They might be little but pumpkin seeds are big in taste full of key nutrients including amino acids, minerals, proteins, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins. Either add them to your soup or salad at lunchtime, or have them as a part of a mid-afternoon snack if you want to keep the hunger pangs and tiredness at bay. They are also great when added into a flapjack mix together with juicy raisins, organic oats, and flaxseeds.
Yogurt
The humble yogurt for pudding doesn’t have to just be for school kids. Eating a natural, full-fat yogurt as part of your lunch will give you another boost because the lactose and protein will slowly release energy during the afternoon so you feel satisfied for longer.
Nuts
Almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts might have a high fat content but they are good to snack on because they are also rich in magnesium. This mineral helps to convert sugar into energy and because nuts are also a good protein source, they make a great snack if you do need an extra boost at half-past three, just stick to a small handful if you are watching your weight.
Bananas
If you do need a pick me up, skip the chocolate bar and peel a banana. You will find fructose, glucose, and sucrose in bananas and because these three sugars are absorbed into your bloodstream at different speeds, your blood sugar levels and mood remain constant.
Also, remember to drink plenty of water and if you do fancy a caffeine hit, swap coffee for green tea and those anti-oxidants will totally work in your favour.
Team Pure Beauty
Last updated on 28/08/2018.