Amino acids are like the raw materials needed to make neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers in our body. Our brain then uses some of these neurotransmitters to improve our mood.

Eating protein also helps you feel full and energized throughout the day. Enjoy animal-based proteins e. Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan. When you eat carbohydrates, however, it clears a path for tryptophan to get into the brain and voila — your body starts making serotonin and you start to feel a little happier.

Eating carbohydrates is also important for fueling your activities and recovering after sports trainings. Make a turkey or grilled cheese sandwich, a tofu stir-fry on rice, or a quinoa salad loaded with pumpkin seeds.

Not only does fatty fish contain protein for energy, but it also provides omega-3 fats. You may already know that this type of fat is good for your heart health. The good news is that omega-3 fats, especially the types found in salmon, trout, arctic char and sardines, can also boost your mood.

Over time, too much cortisol can lead to headaches, fatigue and mood swings. Magnesium helps to lower cortisol, and some of the best sources of magnesium are leafy green veggies.

Bonus: leafy greens and other dark green vegetables also contain folate, a vitamin that may be useful in warding off feelings of depression. Nuts, seeds and whole grains also contain good amounts of magnesium. Guess what? Secondly, dark chocolate plays a role in making serotonin — the feel-good chemical.

And thirdly, dark chocolate contains antioxidants called polyphenols that help lower cortisol levels. Need I say more? In fact, low intakes of selenium can make you feel more irritable, anxious and depressed.

Tuna, halibut, sardines, shrimp, meat, baked beans, whole wheat bread and oatmeal are other foods that contain selenium in lower amounts. Along with healthy eating, a little bit of sweat and exercise is definitely another way to boost your mood. Sue Mah is an award-winning dietitian and Founder of Nutrition Solutions.

She appears regularly on national TV to share sensible nutrition advice that inspires Canadians to eat well. 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.

When caffeine is the only answer, opt for green or black tea for a healthy boost to keep you going. Added bonus? The energy boosting amino acid in green tea may also protect against tiresome illness like the cold or the flu.

When you eat is just as important as what you eat. Your guide to healthy eating and exercise after cancer treatment. COVID, Flu and RSV Information and COVID Vaccine Availability Learn more about respiratory viruses and vaccination for COVID, flu and RSV. Home HealthBeat Healthy Tips Nutrition Jump Start Snacks.

HealthBeat  Nutrition . Breadcrumb navigation Home HealthBeat Healthy Tips Nutrition Jump Start Snacks. Jump Start Snacks. Nuts In addition to energy-extending protein and fiber, nuts are full of additional nutrients to refuel your electrolyte supply. Fruit Soothe your sweet tooth while also boosting energy with the complex healthy carbs in fruit.

Yogurt Complex carbs and protein is one of most nutritious pairings you can find. Dairy Healthy spreadable cheeses, cottage cheese or milk can be part of a healthy, energy-boosting snack.

When caffeine is the only answer, opt for green or black tea for a healthy boost to keep you going. Added bonus? The energy boosting amino acid in green tea may also protect against tiresome illness like the cold or the flu. When you eat is just as important as what you eat.

Your guide to healthy eating and exercise after cancer treatment. COVID, Flu and RSV Information and COVID Vaccine Availability Learn more about respiratory viruses and vaccination for COVID, flu and RSV. Home HealthBeat Healthy Tips Nutrition Jump Start Snacks.

HealthBeat  Nutrition . Breadcrumb navigation Home HealthBeat Healthy Tips Nutrition Jump Start Snacks. Jump Start Snacks.

Nuts In addition to energy-extending protein and fiber, nuts are full of additional nutrients to refuel your electrolyte supply. Fruit Soothe your sweet tooth while also boosting energy with the complex healthy carbs in fruit.

Yogurt Complex carbs and protein is one of most nutritious pairings you can find. Dairy Healthy spreadable cheeses, cottage cheese or milk can be part of a healthy, energy-boosting snack. Edamame Fiber, protein, complex carbs and healthy fat are all present for a slowly digested, energy-amplifying snack.

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

Eggs 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. Tea When caffeine is the only answer, opt for green or black tea for a healthy boost to keep you going.

Related Services Nutritional Services. You Might Also Like. read more about The Best Times to Eat The Best Times to Eat When you eat is just as important as what you eat. read more about Why Magnesium Matters Why Magnesium Matters The mighty mineral that powers your body. read more about I Survived Cancer.

Now What? I Survived Cancer. According to the USDA , 1 cup of air-popped popcorn contains just 31 calories, along with 1. It also provides volume so tends to keep you satisfied longer than chips and crackers. Ditch flavored microwave popcorn and try popping your own kernels, then season them with herbs and spices.

Although peanut butter is a calorie-dense food, a little goes a long way in providing a great-tasting energy boost. Its healthy fats, protein, and fiber help stave off hunger and keep blood sugar levels stable. In fact, according to a review published in March in Foods , peanuts have some of the highest amounts of protein and the amino acid L-tyrosine.

Instead of covering your morning toast with butter or jelly, which are devoid of protein and fiber, top slices with an all-natural nut butter that contains nothing but nuts, Berman suggests. Just be sure to avoid brands with added sugars and stick to just 2 tablespoons for calories, 7. The rich-tasting fish earns the moniker from its omega-3 fatty acids : polyunsaturated fats that promote healthy brain function and provide energy for the body.

Omega-3s have also been found to reduce depression as well as boost mood , Berman says. In an observational study published in February in the Journal of Personalized Medicine , patients with mild to moderate depression who received an omega-3 supplement in addition to an antidepressant saw significantly greater symptom improvements compared with the supplement or the antidepressant alone.

Considering that lack of energy is a common depression symptom, any nutrition strategy that improves depression can also boost energy. The healthy fats make salmon a smart choice for your heart, too, as they help lower blood pressure and triglycerides, which can raise your risk for cardiovascular disease, per the Mayo Clinic.

In 3 oz of pink salmon, you get calories, Bananas are nature's prepacked and portable healthy snack. They're filled with fiber, vitamin B6 , and potassium — these nutrients promote sustained energy and muscle function, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH.

A medium banana has calories, 27 g of carbs, 3. Bananas are particularly appealing as a pre-workout snack , because they provide sustained energy without spiking blood sugar and are gentle on the stomach, notes the International Sports Sciences Association.

Pair a banana with a glass of low-fat milk or a cup of yogurt for an energizing combination of fiber and protein — a combo that also makes a great breakfast to start your day. Skip iceberg lettuce and add an energy boost to your salad by using nutrient-rich kale as a base.

Kale contains the amino acid L-tyrosine, which may help give you a mental lift, as well as a number of antioxidants and fiber to fill you up and help keep your blood sugar stable, says Berman. According to the USDA , 1 cup of the cooked stuff has 42 calories, 4.

Ask any nutritionist for healthy and simple breakfast ideas, and oatmeal is sure to make the list. Its high-fiber content — 4 g is 14 percent of the DV in ½ cup dry, per the USDA — is the reason it's such a filling meal that provides lasting energy.

Because fiber takes so long to digest, having oatmeal for breakfast will power you through the entire morning, compared with a breakfast of white toast and jelly, explains Melinda Johnson, RD , clinical associate professor of nutrition at Arizona State University in Phoenix and past president of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

With stable blood sugar levels, you'll feel energized and focused, without downing another cup of coffee. Moreover, oats serve up energizing B vitamins, plus 1. As the NIH explains, iron keeps energy levels up by helping transport oxygen to the lungs and muscles.

Oats contain calories, 5 g of protein, 3 g of fat, and 27 g of carbs, per the USDA. Powerhouse pistachios have a combination of protein, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, all of which adds up to a perfectly satisfying snack.

In 1 oz of the nuts in the shell , you'll get 3 g of satiating protein — ideal for energy all day long, says Kooi — 1. As an added bonus, though nuts are calorie-dense, 1 oz of pistachios has only 87 calories. Hummus is a Mediterranean dip with only a few simple ingredients — pureed garbanzo beans, sesame-based tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice — that all contribute nutrients for energy.

The fiber and protein in the beans stabilize blood sugar, take the edge off hunger, and boost energy, Kooi notes. To put it into numbers, 2 tablespoons of hummus delivers 72 calories, 2 g of protein, 2 g of fiber, 6 g of fat, and 4.

When used as a dip for nutrient-rich veggies such as red pepper strips or carrot sticks, hummus makes a great midafternoon snack. You can also use it as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise.

When it comes to yogurt, Greek varieties can deliver nearly twice the amount of hunger-satisfying protein as regular offerings with

Some are on-the-go snacks , while others are smart choices for a lunchtime meal that will power you through the afternoon.

Almonds are a superstar in the snack world, as they contain important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins, which help convert food to energy. Insufficient B vitamins can lead to fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration. Stick to one serving — 1 ounce oz , or about 23 nuts — for calories, 6 grams g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates, 3.

Department of Agriculture USDA. Whole-grain carbohydrate snacks offer lasting energy. Popcorn is a smarter pick than a crunchy snack like chips, since it's a whole grain that's low in calories — as long as you don't douse it with butter, salt, or oil.

According to the USDA , 1 cup of air-popped popcorn contains just 31 calories, along with 1. It also provides volume so tends to keep you satisfied longer than chips and crackers.

Ditch flavored microwave popcorn and try popping your own kernels, then season them with herbs and spices. Although peanut butter is a calorie-dense food, a little goes a long way in providing a great-tasting energy boost.

Its healthy fats, protein, and fiber help stave off hunger and keep blood sugar levels stable. In fact, according to a review published in March in Foods , peanuts have some of the highest amounts of protein and the amino acid L-tyrosine. Instead of covering your morning toast with butter or jelly, which are devoid of protein and fiber, top slices with an all-natural nut butter that contains nothing but nuts, Berman suggests.

Just be sure to avoid brands with added sugars and stick to just 2 tablespoons for calories, 7. The rich-tasting fish earns the moniker from its omega-3 fatty acids : polyunsaturated fats that promote healthy brain function and provide energy for the body.

Omega-3s have also been found to reduce depression as well as boost mood , Berman says. In an observational study published in February in the Journal of Personalized Medicine , patients with mild to moderate depression who received an omega-3 supplement in addition to an antidepressant saw significantly greater symptom improvements compared with the supplement or the antidepressant alone.

Considering that lack of energy is a common depression symptom, any nutrition strategy that improves depression can also boost energy. The healthy fats make salmon a smart choice for your heart, too, as they help lower blood pressure and triglycerides, which can raise your risk for cardiovascular disease, per the Mayo Clinic.

In 3 oz of pink salmon, you get calories, Bananas are nature's prepacked and portable healthy snack. They're filled with fiber, vitamin B6 , and potassium — these nutrients promote sustained energy and muscle function, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH. A medium banana has calories, 27 g of carbs, 3.

Bananas are particularly appealing as a pre-workout snack , because they provide sustained energy without spiking blood sugar and are gentle on the stomach, notes the International Sports Sciences Association.

Pair a banana with a glass of low-fat milk or a cup of yogurt for an energizing combination of fiber and protein — a combo that also makes a great breakfast to start your day.

Skip iceberg lettuce and add an energy boost to your salad by using nutrient-rich kale as a base. Kale contains the amino acid L-tyrosine, which may help give you a mental lift, as well as a number of antioxidants and fiber to fill you up and help keep your blood sugar stable, says Berman.

According to the USDA , 1 cup of the cooked stuff has 42 calories, 4. Ask any nutritionist for healthy and simple breakfast ideas, and oatmeal is sure to make the list. Its high-fiber content — 4 g is 14 percent of the DV in ½ cup dry, per the USDA — is the reason it's such a filling meal that provides lasting energy.

Because fiber takes so long to digest, having oatmeal for breakfast will power you through the entire morning, compared with a breakfast of white toast and jelly, explains Melinda Johnson, RD , clinical associate professor of nutrition at Arizona State University in Phoenix and past president of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

With stable blood sugar levels, you'll feel energized and focused, without downing another cup of coffee. Moreover, oats serve up energizing B vitamins, plus 1. As the NIH explains, iron keeps energy levels up by helping transport oxygen to the lungs and muscles.

Oats contain calories, 5 g of protein, 3 g of fat, and 27 g of carbs, per the USDA. Powerhouse pistachios have a combination of protein, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, all of which adds up to a perfectly satisfying snack. In 1 oz of the nuts in the shell , you'll get 3 g of satiating protein — ideal for energy all day long, says Kooi — 1.

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.

Apples are high in soluble fiber and a good source of vitamin C , which we know is excellent for boosting energy. The soluble fiber in apples will help keep you feeling full between meals, so you're not reaching for another snack soon afterward.

Be sure to eat the apple's skin, as this is where most of the fiber and flavonoids compounds that act as antioxidants are found, per Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health. The flavonoids and antioxidants in apples can reduce your risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, per a systematic review published in Current Developments in Nutrition.

When it comes to nutritional value, peanut butter is no slouch, either. According to the USDA , peanut butter is a great source of healthy fats , protein and niacin vitamin B3 —a water-soluble vitamin that helps your body metabolize food into energy.

In addition, peanut butter can decrease triglycerides a type of fat found in your blood and reduce your cardiovascular disease risk, according to a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. Everyone experiences low energy from time to time, but what you choose to eat to boost your energy can significantly impact your day and your long-term health.

Instead of turning to quick fixes, consider eating healthy, nutritionally balanced snacks that provide protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, fiber and other essential nutrients for sustained energy. Eating snacks like our Apple "Donuts" will help you feel your best throughout the day while keeping energy slumps at bay.

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