Conquer the Midday Slump!

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight in 2015? You’re not alone. Researchers say weight loss is the top resolution year after year. And on January 2 (because, let’s face it, New Year’s Day is no time to start a new eating routine), you stuck to your guns…until about 3:00 in the afternoon when the midday slump set in. Then you headed for the vending machine for just a little something to wake you up and tide you over until dinnertime.

It’s time to stop the madness and start eating smarter! And it’s easy — when you keep these three resolution-saving tips in mind:

1.Eat breakfast. You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again, but I can’t stress enough how important eating a good breakfast is. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a hard-boiled egg with a piece of whole wheat toast will do the trick. You’ll be amazed by how much more energy you’ll have. And you’ll feel satisfied until lunchtime. 

2.Stay hydrated. Drink water throughout the day to fend off fatigue.

3.Snack smarter. Eat a healthy combo of carbs and protein for the best slump-buster in town! Try peanut butter on whole wheat bread, blueberries and walnuts, sliced bell peppers and hummus, or chunks of banana stirred into plain Greek yogurt.

This hearty drink makes a terrific afternoon mini-meal:

In a blender, pulse 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and ½ cup of vanilla frozen yogurt for about 5 seconds. Add 2 teaspoons of flaxseed oil and ¼ teaspoon of almond extract and whip until blended. Finally, add 1/3 cup of skim milk and pulse for an additional 5 seconds.