Top 5 Natural Energy Boosting Snacks

There are many times when you need an energy boost like when you have skipped a meal, after a workout, after a mentally tiring day, etc. While caffeine and many processed snacks can give you a quick energy boost, they cannot compete with natural energy boosters that also provide rich nutrition. Coffee and processed foods generally give you a quick boost which quickly tapers off once the body clears their ingredients like caffeine and sugar from the blood. On the other hand, natural energy boosters help you sustain your energy levels for hours after a snack.

Here are some great tips for natural energy boosting snacks.

• Nuts and Seeds- Just a handful of a mix of raw almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, etc. a day will give you a noticeable boost in energy. Due to rich reserves of calcium and magnesium these nuts and seeds also help you immediately control acidity in case your stomach is growling with hunger. If you prefer salted or roasted nuts, watch out for the fat content and calories.

• Dry fruits - Dry fruits like raisins, dates, figs and apricots make excellent energy snacks with their high fructose content. While they are tasty, they are also nutritious with ample stores of fiber, iron and vitamins. They are digested slowly because of the fiber - so the energy is gradually released and you will not see a quick high followed by rapid draining. They also ease bowel movements and prevent constipation.

• Sprouted grains and beans - An excellent healthy and crunchy snack can be made by sprouting whole grains like wheat and beans like red beans, garbanzo beans, orange millet, etc. Since they are preparing to germinate and grow, they have a reserve of bioavailable energy which can be easily assimilated in the body. They are rich in protein and fiber. To prepare a snack, soak your choice of whole grains and beans in water for 24-48 hours. Once they sprout, add some pepper, salt and spices. Top it with some juice from a freshly squeezed lime. Season with cilantro or parsley.

• Yogurt - Yogurt is a great option for an energy boosting snack. With plenty of calcium and proteins, just a cup is enough to energize you. Try the flavored ones if you do not like plain yogurt.

• Fruits - Fruits like banana and apple make good energy boosting snacks. Rich in fiber and vitamins, they are digested quickly - you can feel the energy surge within minutes after snacking on one of these fruits. Unlike citrus fruits like orange which do not suit some people when they are hungry or they experience acidity, bananas and apples are good to snack at any time.

When you eat any of these energy boosting snacks, drink plenty of water to ease digestion in a tired body.