You are going full steam ahead and charging through the necessary tasks when it hits you – a complete energy slump and a mirage of a bed. Your attention starts flagging and it seems like there is nothing you can do about it.
As this natural slump starts to take course, there are many things you can do in order to avoid this energy crash.
Breakfast and Lunch
Firstly, it is important to ask yourself four very vital questions:
- Did I eat breakfast?
- What did I eat for breakfast?
- Did I eat lunch?
- What did I eat for lunch?
In order to avoid the energy slump, it is important to fuel your body with good quality real food. Instead of a skinny latte and a croissant, try these breakfast options:
- Poached egg, wholemeal toast with butter, fruit
- Scrambled egg and sautéed kale in coconut oil, fruit
- Plain yoghurt with raw nuts and fruit salad
It is important to combine a healthy fat with a protein and carbohydrate. Your brain and muscles will function better throughout the day if all meals are based on this regime.
It is also very important especially to remember the protein at lunchtime so that you don’t find yourselves crashing in the afternoon.
Snacks
Steer away from the afternoon caffeine in order to avoid the energy slump and instead head for the snack options:
- Sliced apple or celery with peanut or almond butter
- Wholegrain rice cakes with peanut butter, almond butter or hummus
- Dried fruit (without the sugar) and raw nuts. An all time favourite is a brazil nut wedge inside a pitted date
- Plain yoghurt mixed with flaxseed and a drizzle of real maple syrup
- Fruit salad with plain yoghurt and a tablespoon flaxseed meal
- Cheese sticks and a piece of fruit
In conclusion, the circadian rhythm is a natural body rhythm that helps you feel sleepy at night and more awake in the morning. It is very easy to imbalance this rhythm by the lifestyle choices you make as well as your dietary habits. In order to maintain the balance of the circadian rhythm, and to avoid the likelihood of experiencing an afternoon slump, it is important to get enough of good quality sleep by going to bed at the right time. It is also important to make the right, healthy food choices.
For more on the circadian rhythm and how to avoid an afternoon energy slump, you can see your naturopath or nutritionist.
Originally published on Oct 07, 2014
