Healthy Food
Natural energy-boosting snack recipes
We’ve all been there: after sitting at our desk for seemingly hours, a loud stomach grumble alerts us to the fact that it’s nearly time to go home and eat dinner, yet when we look at the clock it’s only 2:15 and our evening meal is but a distant dream. The temptation here is to reach for a slab of chocolate or similar sugary snack for the kick of energy we need to push through the afternoon slump. Many mainstream cereal bars contain several teaspoons of sugar per snack, and while reaching for the biscuit tin may provide instant satisfaction to a craving, snacks high in refined sugar often contain little nutritional benefit. To add to your drowsiness, they can also cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then rapidly plummet. We’ve collected five of our favourite energy-boosting snack recipes that can be made in batches to calm cravings and boost energy levels throughout the week.
Healthy beauty boost bars
These beauty bars will not only curb mid-morning or afternoon hunger pangs, they are also packed full of skin-plumping goodness. The phytoestrogens from the chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and linseeds might also help to balance out your hormones – an added bonus! Oatmeal and porridge oats are great sources of fibre to keep you feeling fuller for longer, reducing the temptation to overeat at your next meal.
Super seedy omega 3 energy bars
For a delicious savoury option, these omega 3 bars pack a massive flavour punch with marmite and mustard seeds. Incorporating almond milk and nutritional yeast for its tangy, moreish flavour, Liz’s seedy omega 3 bars are totally vegan and a great source of protein and slow-release carbohydrates. A hit of turmeric adds a wonderful rich flavour and colour, with the added benefit of its anti-inflammatory properties. Bake a batch of these savoury energy bars to satisfy cravings that might otherwise have you reaching for a packet of crisps or white sliced toast.
Blackberry, pear and rose fruit leathers
Sometimes we really need something sweet for a bit of a pick me up – and the natural fruit sugars in these picture-perfect pink fruit leathers are a great healthy alternative to snacks packed full of refined sugar. They will need several hours in the oven, so prepare a batch on a rainy Sunday to snack on in the week ahead.
Raw nutty ginger energy balls
Studies have shown that ginger can have anti-inflammatory properties as well as alleviating the symptoms of nausea, so keep a batch of these handy as a pick me up if you’re feeling under the weather.
Egg muffins with feta cheese, spring onions and mushrooms
Ok, ok, we know this is a breakfast recipe, but if you’re looking for a pick-me-up after a workout, then these protein-packed egg muffins are a great muscle-repairing snack to carry on the go. You can keep a batch in the fridge to dip into during the week or you can make them fresh if you have a spare quarter of an hour.
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