To keep you satisfied in the afternoon, try these protein-rich snack ideas.
The study, from the University of Cambridge in England and published in the November 2011 issue of Neuron, 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.
1. Smoothie
Try a smoothie made with silken tofu or yogurt or this Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie.
2. Edamame
Try eating steamed edamame with coarse salt or this recipe for Edamame Nibbles.
3. Spiced Chickpea “Nuts”
Try this flavorful, crunchy recipe for Spiced Chickpea “Nuts”
4. A Hard-Boiled Egg
Try eating a hard-boiled egg-eat it plain or gussy it up: Guacamole-Stuffed Eggs.
5. Trail Mix & Dried Fruit
Try trail mix and dried fruit, or our healthy Gorp recipe.
6. Veggies & Hummus
Try veggies and hummus or Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites
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.
9. Banana & Peanut Butter
Banana and peanut butter together make a filling snack with lots of protein.
10. 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.
