Keep Your Energy High with These Mid-Morning Snacks

I'm not sure about you, but mid-morning is sometimes when I'm at my lowest. Not quite prepared to eat a full meal, I find myself longing for a little pick-me-up to boost productivity. 

A small snack that combines carbohydrates, protein, and fat serves me best. It fills me up and fuels my brain and doesn't leave me feeling groggy, tired, or full the way a sugar-loaded snack or caffeinated beverage might. 

One or two of these snack will need to be made ahead, but the majority can be prepared as you need them! 

Hummus with veggies
My easy, go-to choice. Though I try not to eat too much hummus on a regular basis, it is full of healthy vitamins and minerals, and for the most part heart-healthy fats. At the store, I opt for whatever is locally made, and I love cauliflower, carrots, and pepper slices for dipping. 

Raw cashews and peppers
Sometimes I eat this snack raw and sometimes I sauté it for a few minutes first. An ounce of raw cashews plus one large green bell pepper cut into strips provides you with 5 grams of protein and enough healthy energy to get through the morning. 

Celery sticks with sunflower seed butter
I'm not a big fan of peanut butter, so I stick with sunflower seed butter, but use whatever you love most. This children's classic is just as satisfying and filling as it was 20 years ago. 

Half an avocado with salt, pepper, and hemp seeds
Is it possible to overdose on avocado? Because... that might be happening in my life right now. Half an avocado with a little sea salt, pepper, and hemp seed makes for a heart-healthy breakfast OR mid-morning snack. Avocados are loaded with fiber and potassium, and can lower cholesterol, and hemp seeds are high in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential omega-6 fatty acid that helps balance hormones. For a while, I was taking borage oil supplements in order to get a healthy serving of GLA, but now I just snack on hemp seeds when and where I can!

Crunchy chickpeas with rosemary and olive oil
Every couple weeks, I'll make a batch of these snackworthy chickpeas. They're simple, healthy, and easy to make, and it always makes me happy to wake up the next morning and remember I have a delicious snack ready to go. Perfect for those who crave a savory treat.

Open-faced tuna (or salmon) sandwich
If you're not a vegetarian, a simple open-faced tuna or smoked salmon sandwich (...or sardine sandwich if your coworkers can bear the scent) will boost you through the morning hours. I'm not talking about tuna salad spread on white bread though; instead, spread a few scoops of tuna, or place a few pieces of salmon, onto your favorite whole wheat or gluten-free crackers, and enjoy. (I'm obsessed with Doctor In the Kitchen's flax crackers.) 

Hard-boiled egg with crackers
I don't eat eggs often, but every couple of weeks I'll hard-boil a few to keep around when I need a solid source of energy. Hard-boiled eggs are packed with vitamin A and D, protein, and the kind of good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) that help regulate insulin and blood sugar levels in the body. Often, I'll slice up an egg, place each on a cracker, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Simple, effective, and delicious.

A few pieces of raw dark chocolate
While I don't think grabbing a bag of M&M's mid-morning is the best way to get through 'til lunch, I count organic, raw dark chocolate as a legitimate and healthy energy source. Raw chocolate contains antioxidants, magnesium and other essential minerals, protein, those much-discussed heart-healthy fats, and vitamins B1, B2, and so on. I love Righteously Raw chocolate, but often I just buy Navitas Naturals cacao nibs and eat them plain or snack on a handful with some granola.

What about you? I'm curious to know what everyone else loves!