When it comes to the daylight savings time change, the saying goes, “spring forward, fall back.” Unfortunately, this time changes leaves many of us fatigued, making us want to do anything but spring forward! Here are some of my nutrition tips to help you transition with the time change:
Breakfast Time: Too tired to eat breakfast? Skipping it will make you feel even more fatigued, potentially causing you to overdo it on caffeine and sugary foods. This can set you up for a major energy-crash later in the day. Oatmeal, plain yogurt, and apples are great energy-boosting foods to eat for breakfast. Fruit and veggie smoothies are another easy option for an energizing breakfast! I love to make this Avocado Whip Smoothie first thing in the morning. Avocados are another great source of energy and contain potassium, a nutrient that has been shown to help regulate blood pressure.
Snack Time: Need an energy-boosting snack? Ditch the donuts and munch on some almonds. They are perfect to help us stay energized due to the fact that they are loaded with potassium and iron. To obtain all their health benefits, be sure to snack on raw almonds rather than the candy-coated or salted kind! Don’t like nuts? Other great energy-boosting snacks include grapes, peaches and sunflower seeds.
Hydration Time: Bust-out that cute water bottle and stay hydrated during the day! One of the early signs of dehydration is fatigue, so sipping water is a good way to stay energized. Squirt some lemon in your tea or water for a boost of vitamin C, a vitamin that is needed to give us energy during our day. In addition to tasting great, lemons are great for aiding in digestion and can help with nausea, heartburn, and parasites.
Sleepy Time: Having trouble falling asleep with the new time change? Chew on some cherries! They are a natural source of melatonin and can help you get your beauty sleep. Lettuce, scallops, basil and nutmeg have also been known to promote relaxation and sleep. If you are a tea drinker, try a cup of calming chamomile tea.
Thanks to Margaux J. Rathbun for this tip! Look for more weekly updates!