Have you ever been so tired at work that you fell asleep at your desk? You put your head down for just a minute and, well, you wake up with drool all over the report you were working on. Not only does sleeping at your desk look bad, it can be gross (hello, drool!)
Most of us don’t have the luxury of shutting our office door and taking a cat nap during the day. And sleeping more at night might not be the solution. If you’re like me you have a stash of natural energy foods by your desk in case you need to fight off a growling stomach. Here is a list of foods that give you energy, fill you up, and keep you alert and functioning at the same time.
Oatmeal
I keep a box of Quaker Instant Oatmeal (raisins & spice) on my bookshelf. They make a great breakfast or afternoon snack-especially in the winter. They’re easy to make in the office microwave and are a good source of fiber and iron. Plus they’re low in fat so you don’t have to worry about the “secretary spread.”
Almonds
These little nuts are great! They include monounsaturated fats that provide essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s) that produce an alert mental state. A single serving of almonds is about 12 nuts-a good little snack to wake you up even if you’re not hungry.
Yogurt
I keep a couple of my favorite yogurts (Dannon Lite & Fit) in the fridge. Studies have shown that magnesium-rich foods, like yogurt, can provide an energy boost. Plus it’s a great source of calcium-especially important for women.
Fruit
I eat a banana a day. Fruit is a great source of carbohydrates, which give you a quick boost, but is also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. And fruit (especially bananas) are easy to take with you-they don’t even need a baggie!
Popcorn
I’m not talking about the movie-kind that’s covered in butter. I’m talking about the healthy, low-fat kind. Popcorn has a lot of fiber, which helps you feel full faster and it’s easy to make. You can even buy single-serve packets these days. And you can always sprinkle on seasoning to give it a little extra flavor.
Hummus and Veggies
Carrot sticks are so last season. My favorite thing to do is slice red, orange, and yellow peppers and use hummus as a dip. Hummus comes in lots of flavors to suit any palate and is a great source of protein and low in calories: 1/4 of a cup is about 100 calories.
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