In addition to energy-extending protein and fiber, nuts are full of additional nutrients to refuel your electrolyte supply. A peanut butter sandwich for lunch or a handful of almonds at snack time can keep you going during a long afternoon.

Tip: Choose walnuts for a boost of melatonin, the chemical your body releases at night to regulate your body clock. Soothe your sweet tooth while also boosting energy with the complex healthy carbs in fruit.

Melons are a particularly great choice — their high water content keeps you hydrated, another boost to energy. Complex carbs and protein is one of most nutritious pairings you can find. Found in Greek yogurt or Icelandic yogurt, they combine to slow digestion for more sustained energy. Healthy spreadable cheeses, cottage cheese or milk can be part of a healthy, energy-boosting snack.

The protein and carbs found in dairy-products is a power combo for replenishing electrolytes and a study suggests that drinking milk at night boosts muscle recovery and growth too. Fiber, protein, complex carbs and healthy fat are all present for a slowly digested, energy-amplifying snack.

To get the most nutrition from your snack, avoid table salt and sodium-packed sauces. Complex carbs, check. Magnesium, check. Quinoa is a trendy and powerful grain — the only type with a complete protein — and classic brown rice will never go out of style.

Slowly digested protein and fiber extends the energy boost of beans, while a healthy dose of magnesium relaxes the body so it can rest. The combination of protein, complex carbs and fiber means even a half-cup of cooked lentils is providing a big boost of healthy energy.

And they cook in a fraction of time it takes to make beans! Great for a powerful start to the day, the protein, iron and zinc in eggs give you energy and helps to maintain blood sugar levels at the same time. In addition to EatingWell, his work has been featured on The Beet, Verywell Fit, The Healthy, Livestrong, Alive, Best Life and others.

He graduated from the NutraPhoria School of Holistic Nutrition in and has since founded Pillars Nutrition. Ah, the dreaded afternoon slump—the time of day when your energy levels tank, and you feel tired and groggy for no apparent reason. During these times of need, many people turn to caffeine , energy drinks and other quick fixes to overcome their low energy.

However, this often adds fuel to the fire by providing short-term energy bursts that elevate cortisol levels and result in subsequent energy crashes, making you more exhausted than you were in the first place.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. On average, U. adults experience energy dips, sleepiness and lack of focus three days per week, according to a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation. That's why it's imperative to fuel your body properly with snacks that don't cause you to crash and deliver sustained energy that keeps you feeling good all day long.

If you're looking for a quick and easy snack to pick you up next time you feel down, keep reading. We chatted with Kelsey Kunik, RD , a registered dietitian and nutrition advisor for Zenmaster Wellness, who shares her wisdom on the best snack to eat when you need an energy boost.

Sugar, coffee and energy drinks can seem like an easy answer when you're feeling low on energy. Unfortunately, these fixes don't provide sustained energy and could be surefire ways to crash. Instead, you'll want to ramp up your energy with nutritious whole foods that provide long-lasting energy to help you feel and perform your best.

Specifically, foods containing B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and zinc have been shown to increase energy levels, per a review published in Nutrients. Carbs are a quick energy source, but relying on refined carbs can lead to a surge of energy that doesn't last long," explains Kunik. Also, pair your carb with protein and healthy fats to help fill you up and slow down digestion, leading to more energy for a longer period.

Consider combining a few different foods for a nutritionally balanced energy boost, such as Greek yogurt and berries or banana and nut butter.

Also, staying on top of your hydration is critical for maintaining good energy levels. The natural sugars in the apple will help you feel energized almost immediately, but the extra protein and fat from the nut butter and Greek yogurt will help you sustain that energy into your next meal.

Besides being an undeniably delicious combo, apples and peanut butter provide a perfect nutritional balance. Sugars and refined carbs provide a quick boost, while grains, legumes, and whole foods provide more sustainable energy that will keep the body going longer. The list we give here focuses on foods and drinks that provide more stable energy throughout the day.

Bananas may be the best quick snack for sustained energy. While bananas are a good natural source of sugar, they are also rich in fibers that help slow the digestion of that sugar.

Bananas contain helpful nutrients that make the body feel full of energy. A study in the journal PLoS One notes that eating a banana before a long bicycle ride helps performance and endurance just as much as a carbohydrate drink. While most people are not cycling each day, bananas may still provide energy.

As a study in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition notes, they contain nutrients, protein, and fiber that may help sustain energy levels throughout the day. They also contain good fats that may increase energy levels, and make fat-soluble nutrients more available in the body.

Goji berries are small, reddish berries containing many nutrients and important anti-aging and antioxidant properties, as a review in Drug Design, Development and Therapy notes.

The specific antioxidants have many possible benefits, including giving the body more energy. Dried goji berries make a great addition to a trail mix, and many people add a few to a water bottle to drink throughout the day. Apples may be another simple snack to give the body lasting energy.

Along with fiber and nutrients, a study in the journal Horticulture Research notes that apples are high in antioxidants called flavonoids, which may help fight against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

As a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry notes, strawberries are a good source of minerals, vitamin C, and folates. They also contain phenols, which are essential antioxidants that may help the body create energy at the cellular level. People can add strawberries to many dishes, and a handful may also be an easy snack to add to a diet.

Most people enjoy oranges for their taste, which comes from the antioxidant vitamin C. Vitamin C may help reduce oxidative stress in the body and prevent fatigue. A study in the journal Antioxidants notes that young adult male students who have higher levels of vitamin C may also have better mood and may be less likely to experience confusion, anger, or depression.

Berries, including blueberries , raspberries, and blackberries, may be a good energy boosting food when the body is craving something sweet. Dark berries tend to be higher in natural antioxidants than lighter-colored ones, which may reduce inflammation and fatigue in the body.

They also tend to have less sugar than sweeter fruits, while still satisfying a craving for a sweet taste. Fish, in general, is an excellent and light source of protein and B vitamins that may give the body sustained energy throughout the day.

Fatty cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, and tuna, tend to be higher in omega-3 fatty acids. As a study in the journal Nutrients notes, omega-3 fatty acids may improve brain function and reduce inflammation in the body, which may be a cause of fatigue in some people.

Beef liver may be one of the best meat sources for vitamin B, which keeps the body feeling full of energy. While many cuts of meat contain vitamin B, the difference is that beef liver has a large amount.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture USDA , a 3-ounce cut of beef flank steak contains about 1. The same cut of beef liver contains 60 mcg of vitamin B, according to the USDA.

Yogurt may also be a source of energy. As the USDA show, natural yogurt is rich in protein, fats, and simple carbohydrates, which provide energy to the body. Yogurt is also very easy to eat on the go, which makes it a great alternative to vending machine food.

Eggs provide the body with plenty of protein and nutrients for sustainable energy. As the USDA note, one large hard-boiled egg contains about 6 grams g of protein and 5 g of fat , as well as vitamins and minerals to help keep the body energized and feeling full for longer than other snacks.

Yams and sweet potatoes are beneficial sources of carbohydrates, which provide energy. This may make them a good option for sustained energy throughout the day. As a study in the journal Food Science and Biotechnology notes, beets may provide the body with a great source of antioxidants and nutrients that help improve blood flow and energy.

People can consume beets as dried beetroot chips, cooked beets or as a bottle of beetroot juice. Dark, leafy greens such as kale , spinach, and collard greens are nutrient dense and contain filling proteins, as well as nutrients and antioxidants.

Greens may be difficult to digest raw for some people, so breaking them down by cooking them with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice may help. Dark chocolate may be an easy way to increase energy. Rich, dark chocolate usually has much less sugar than milk chocolate.

Less sugar means less immediate energy, but more cocoa content means more of the benefits of cocoa, including helpful antioxidants such as flavonoids. A study in the journal Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology notes that dark chocolate may benefit the cardiovascular system by helping more blood pump around the body.

This blood carries fresh oxygen, which may also make a person feel more awake and alert.