We’ve all experienced the midday slump around 3:00pm to 4:00pm where energy levels drop and you feel lethargic, hungry and ready to finish work for the day. One way to help with this daily energy drop is through blood sugar control – when your blood sugar is out of balance, your energy levels shift accordingly. Adding an energy boosting afternoon snack between lunch and dinner is a great way to ensure your blood sugar is balanced and that you aren’t starving come dinner time. Check out these well-balanced snacks to incorporate into your meal plan this week.

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Protein Packed Yogurt Parfait

Recipe makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 tbsp hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup of your favourite granola
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• Optional add-ins: chia seeds, ground flax seeds, dark chocolate chips, other fruit of choice, cacao nibs

Directions:

1. Add yogurt to a bowl and top with berries. Sprinkle hemp hearts and granola over top and drizzle almond butter. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Veggie Snack Plate

Recipe makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bell pepper (sliced)
• 1/2 cucumber (cut into rounds)
• 1/4 cup baby carrots
• 2 tbsp of your favourite dip such as hummus, tzatziki, roasted red pepper dip, etc.
• 10 unsalted almonds
• A small wedge of cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a plate or Tupperware container and dip the veggies into your dip of choice. Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Recipe makes 10 cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup cane sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, egg, sugar and salt. Mix in the chocolate chips.
3. Scoop small balls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten with the back of a fork.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden and semi-firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool. Enjoy!

Cottage Cheese with Peaches

Recipe makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 peach (sliced)
• 1 tbsp hemp hearts or chia seeds
• 2 tbsp slivered almonds
• Sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add cottage cheese to a bowl and top with sliced peaches, hemp or chia seeds, slivered almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Protein Bar

In a pinch, protein bars are a good grab-and-go afternoon snack when meal prep isn’t an option. My favourite protein bars are low in added sugars, use clean sources of protein and have minimal additives. Here are some of my favourite brands to look out for at the grocery store or health food store:

• Genuine Health Fermented Protein Bars
• Rx Bars
• Simply Bars
• GoMacro Bars
• Vega Protein Bars
• Mid-Day Squares (more of a treat – like a functional chocolate bar)
• LaraBar
• KIND Bars
• Good To Go Bars

Like what you’ve read? Check out some natural ways to support digestion here.