Best Energy Boosting Foods

With so much to do every day, it's easy to run low on energy. Instead of grabbing something from Starbucks or a candy bar high in fat and calories, try these energy boosting foods.

Oatmeal is a great way to start your day off with a lot of energy. Get something with a lot of fiber and protein and avoid the packaged flavored oatmeal, they're loaded with sugar. High fiber whole grain cereal is also a great way to go. Fiber gives your body long-lasting energy so you won't get hungry before it's time for lunch. Oats also have a lot of B vitamins, which are used in energy drinks to give you a boost.

Another great way to start your day off is making an egg white omelet with spinach. Both of these things are loaded with protein. The spinach will also give you loads of iron that you would otherwise need to get from red meat; spinach, however, is less than 20 calories a cup and has no fat!

Low fat chili is a great way to work in a bunch of energy boosting foods, the best of which is beans. Kidney beans are not only high in carbohydrates and protein, they also have a ton of fiber and vitamins to help you get through the day. Using low fat ground beef--or chicken-- and a low fat shredded cheese will give you a great boost of protein as well.

Fruits are the best on-the-go energy source. You can easily fit them in your purse or grab one to take with you on the way to work. Top picks include apples and bananas, which is packed with potassium. The natural sugars in fruits are designed to provide quick access to energy.

Foods with omega-3 fatty acids are another terrific food for an energy boost. Try salmon for lunch with avocado or bring a handful of almonds when you know you're going to be needing some energy. All these foods are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which, despite the sound of the name, are incredibly healthy and good for mental alertness.

All the foods here are healthy, natural, and will give you that extra energy throughout your whole day to keep you from yawning at 11:00 am. When you know what foods to eat, lack of energy will become a thing of the past.