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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

It’s probably safe to say that almost all of us experience that midday slump anywhere between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. Often, our solution to this slump is to grab ourselves a little snack, which usually helps to relieve those sluggish feelings. But, did you know that what you eat as your snack could potentially make that slump worse rather than alleviating it?

According to nutritionists, it all comes down to the nutrients that make up your snack of choice. Overall, snacks that are high in protein and or fats are the best option for helping you through the rest of your day. According to Dr. Linda Anegawa, proteins, and fats will give you longer-lasting energy, as they provide a slower release of energy, giving your body a longer-lasting source of energy to use. Conversely, snacks high in carbohydrates provide quick, bursts of energy, as our bodies digest them readily, and snacks high in sugar cause sugar crashes, which actually diminishes energy.

With that being said, here are a couple of recommended snacks that will keep you fueled for the rest of your day!

• Greek yogurt
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Hummus and vegetables
• Nuts
• Chickpeas

So, plan out your snacks for the week and make sure that you’re choosing foods that will help you through your midday slump rather than making it worse!

P.S. Did you know that Arizona agriculture offers lots of locally grown foods that are high in protein, fat, and nutrients in general? Whether it be fresh veggies, eggs, milk, or meats, Arizona agriculture has your snacking needs covered! Check out the resources on the Fill Your Plate website to find locally grown products!

Want to read more snacking articles?

• Fun Summer Snacks – Fill Your Plate Blog
• 8 Healthy Snacks to Keep in Your Dorm Room – Fill Your Plate Blog
• “Safe Snacking” Healthy Snacks for Kids – Fill Your Plate Blog
• Healthy Snacks to Take on the Road – Fill Your Plate Blog