Office Superfoods: Fighting the Afternoon Energy Slump

<p>The afternoon energy slump is definitely not a myth.</p>
<p>It is a real problem that many office workers suffer from shortly after returning from their lunch break. There are many reasons why we tend to experience a slump in the middle of the afternoon. Some are grounded in the science of our body’s internal clock. The other reasons have a lot to do with our daily routine. If you are not getting enough sleep, it is fairly obvious that you would wind up feeling sluggish before the workday is over. What many people don’t realize is that our diet can have a lot do with our energy levels.<br>
A good well-balanced lunch is absolutely key to beating that afternoon slump. Here are several foods that will keep your energy up throughout the afternoon.</p>
<p>Drink Water –</p>
<p>Water may not be a food or even have any calories whatsoever, but it should still be an essential component of your lunch. A nice glass of cold water can be the perfect way to wake you up when your energy is lacking, and proper hydration is key to keeping your energy levels up. Our bodies can easily confuse our thirst for hunger. If you are feeling hungry and sluggish around the middle of the afternoon, you might just be dehydrated. Make sure you are drinking the recommended minimum of eight glasses a day, and drink at least one glass of water with your lunch.</p>
<p>The Right Carbs –</p>
<p>Whole grains are an excellent way to boost your energy levels since it takes your body longer to process them. You should choose foods like whole-wheat pasta, granola, and whole grain bread instead of white breads or sugary foods. The latter are made of unrefined carbohydrates that will cause you to experience a peak in blood sugar levels. However, that effect will die off quickly and cause you to feel tired. So, avoid hitting your commercial office space’s vending machines for lunch, no matter how tempting it may be.</p>
<p>Proteins –</p>
<p>The body digests proteins slowly, so meat is a good source of steady energy that will last the entire afternoon. You don’t necessarily need a plate full of meat for lunch, but you should make sure your lunch has at least one serving of protein. If you aren’t a big meat eater, nuts and beans are great sources of protein.</p>
<p>Vitamin, Mineral and Antioxidant Rich Foods –</p>
<p>A well-balanced lunch should be your number one priority, so you should make sure that you are eating foods from each of the major food groups. Fruits and vegetables are essential to an energy-rich lunch, especially if they are rich in antioxidants, like strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Make sure you pack at least one serving of fruits and vegetables in your lunch or as part of a healthy mid-afternoon snack.</p>
<p>Avoid Caffeine –</p>
<p>Caffeine may be a great way to get a quick energy boost and avoid that afternoon energy slump, but you should avoid it at lunchtime. The effect will wear off long before the workday is over, leaving you even more tired than before. You might be thinking that the soda or coffee will help you prevent a mid-afternoon slump, but it might actually be one of the factors causing it. Besides, most office spaces don’t have very good coffee anyway. It will definitely take a while to adjust to a diet with less caffeine, but your energy levels will be far more consistent if you can limit yourself to just a cup or two of coffee per day.</p>