5 hot day energy boosters
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Irfan Khan/Associated Press)
Eat breakfast
Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast. In studies people who ate breakfast reported having more energy and a better mood.
Tip: Make a breakfast parfait using plain, fat free Greek yogurt, berries, topped off with a high fiber cereal (one that contains 5 grams of fiber or more per serving).
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stay hydrated
Thirst can make you feel extra tired and sleepy. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day helps boost energy, promote healthy digestion, fire up metabolism, and give your skin a refreshed and rested glow.
Pair fiber and protein at lunch
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Don’t let a greasy carb-laden lunch weigh you down. Instead, go for a light and filling midday meal that combines fiber and protein because these digest slowly – the secret for sustaining energy.
Tip: Grab a salad with high-fiber veggies (broccoli, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes etc.) and lean proteins such as skinless chicken breast or shrimp. Toss with a little oil and vinegar and you are good to go for the rest of the afternoon.
Eat small meals more often
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Eat too much and you’re sure to feel lethargic, whereas eating mini-meals at regular intervals will keep your tummy full and your body energized.
Tip: For a tasty snack that’s packed with fiber and protein have an apple with some low-fat cheese, or whole wheat crackers with peanut butter or a 1 oz. serving of pistachios (figure on 49 nuts).
Take a walk
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sit around and you’ll feel more fatigued! Studies have shown that even a brisk ten minute walk can improve mood and peak energy for up to two hours.
Tip: Schedule short breaks into your day. If you can, take the stairs for a nice cardio boost
For more tips, delicious high fiber meal plans, recipes, and proven ways to lose weight and look great, check out my new book The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber!
Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City and author of The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with fiber as well as the bestselling F-Factor Diet. Follow Tanya on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn,and visit her website Ffactor.com.