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Getting Past
the Afternoon Slump
by The American
Institute for Cancer Research |
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It's three o'clock. You can't concentrate
and your energy is running low. You may be experiencing an afternoon
slump. If you usually resort to candy or coffee to pull you through
the rest of your day, you may want to try some of these healthy
alternatives to keep you going. |
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Get Organized
Make sure to schedule your tasks
throughout the day so that you can remain productive. If you
are full of energy in the mornings, get most of your challenging
work done then. Save simple, mechanical tasks for your down times.
When you feel an afternoon slump coming on, you may just need
a change of pace.
Eat a Power Lunch
Your lunch may not be powerful
enough to last through your busy day. A lunch containing protein
and dietary fiber will satisfy hunger longer. Add lean meat,
poultry, tuna or other seafood, nuts or beans to a salad. Include
whole grains; they are more nutrient-dense and provide more dietary
fiber than refined grains, which will keep you satisfied for
longer. Make your sandwich on 100 percent whole grain bread,
or roll up your wrap in a whole-wheat tortilla. Replace empty-calorie
cookies with a bunch of grapes or raw broccoli and cauliflower
florettes. These fruits and vegetables will help keep your energy
level up throughout the afternoon. |
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Take a Break
Don’t automatically reach
for food when you start to feel the afternoon slump approaching.
A snack may provide a break, but it can also lead to undesirable
weight gain. If you are not sure if you are actually hungry,
first try to sneak in some exercise. Take a 10-minute walk around
the block. Or do some stretches at your desk.
Sneak in a Snack
If you are truly hungry, have
a healthy snack. True physical hunger is a signal that the body
needs more fuel and, if ignored, will only get stronger and more
out of control. Keep healthy snacks within easy reach. Try a
piece of fruit, a handful of lowfat trail mix, a small container
of yogurt, or some celery and carrot sticks. Snacking on fruits
and vegetables has the added benefit of helping you to reach
five or more servings a day - the amount recommended by the American
Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) to help prevent cancer.
Want more ideas for healthy snacks? Order a free copy of “Sneak
Health Into Your Snacks” by calling AICR at 1-800-843-8114
ext.10. |
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Author: |
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The American Institute for Cancer
Research (AICR) offers a Nutrition Hotline (1-800-843-8114) Monday-Friday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. This free service allows you to ask
questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. A registered dietician
will return your call, usually within 48 hours. AICR is the only
major cancer charity focusing exclusively on the link between
diet, nutrition and cancer. The Institute provides education
programs that help millions of Americans learn to make changes
for lower cancer risk. AICR also supports innovative research
in cancer prevention and treatment at universities, hospitals
and research centers across the U.S. The Institute has provided
more than $82 million in funding for research in diet, nutrition
and cancer. AICR's Web address is www.aicr.org. |
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