Skip to main content
Nutrition

10 Best Snacks For Energy

10 Best Snacks For Energy
Jamie Wright
Writer and expert2 years ago
View Jamie Wright's profile

There’s an ocean of information telling us how to have nutritious meals, what they look like and why they’re important.

Comparatively, the facts on snacks are a little more sparse. This can make food choices between meals a little more complex.

Snacks, which are essentially mini meals, provide us with energy between meals and help maintain our nutrient levels.

We can also introduce fun and flexibility into our diets through snacking. Eating food because you enjoy it is a way to maintain a healthy, positive relationship with food.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of snacks and cover 10 of the best snacks to include in your diet.

Jump to:

snacks for energy

 

The importance of snacks for energy

Snacks can play a hugely versatile role in our diets. Whether for health, performance, joy or practicality, snacking can help us meet our nutrient needs and fuel us through the day.

When we choose snacks, it’s useful to consider their macronutrient content and our energy needs.

For example, if we’re snacking for energy, is it for a quick burst we need or a more sustained one?

Macronutrients also play differing roles in energy, but what’s the difference between them?

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source. If your goal is more sustained energy, then opt for slow-digesting carbs that release energy over a prolonged time.

If you need a more immediate source of energy — before, after or during training, for example — fast-digesting carbs like pasta or fruit are a better option. These foods are more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, providing a quick release of energy.

Protein and fats are also important for energy, but this is not their primary benefit for our bodies. While both are vital for health, neither is a particularly efficient source of energy.

Keto and low-carb diets involve adapting the metabolism to use fats for energy, so people following these approaches may be better suited to high-fat snacks for energy.

Protein is the least efficient energy source as it has to go through multiple layers of conversion before it can be entered into the energy cycle. It also helps to keep you feeling full and has critical benefits in repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue after exercise.

So, now we know the macros and their roles in energy, let’s move on to some snacks that can help you feel peppy and productive throughout the day.

 

Top 10 Best Snacks for Energy

Bananas or dried banana chips

The humble banana is the perfect snack to have before, after or during a workout. It’s a wonderful blend of readily available carbohydrates, vitamins, electrolytes and water. Obviously, banana chips will not help with rehydration, but the other benefits remain.

 

Protein bar or flapjack

These are ideal virtually any time of day, whether during training, at breakfast, before bed, or as a mid-morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

They’re a good source of protein, a mix of readily available and slow-digesting carbohydrates, and usually packed with many additional vitamins and minerals.

 

Apple slices, rice cakes and nut butter

A wonderful combo of carbs and fats that can keep you fuelled throughout the day while providing a whole host of healthy fats, some fibre, plenty of vitamins and nutrients, and slow-digesting carbohydrates.

Fancy having this as a snack before your workout? Simply swap the peanut butter for some jam on your rice cakes, or have the apple slices on their own with a cup of black coffee or pre workout!

 

Nuts

Nuts are a brilliant snack: they’re energy dense, packed with healthy fats, and so easy to have on the go between meals.

Most varieties of nuts aren’t the best option for a pre-workout snack, but they are incredibly handy for those who are looking to increase their calorie, fibre and protein intakes.

A small handful of nuts are a perfect combo alongside fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamin D) as it can help improve absorption.

 

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a great source of high-quality protein and carbohydrates. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which is essential for strong and healthy bones.

Yoghurt is a great choice for training — and adding granola or another form of cereal can provide bonus energy.

Yoghurt is also good for providing sustained energy throughout the day, too. Given its protein content, it can help regulate energy release. You can even include some fruit for some added fibre.

 

Hummus and carrot/celery/pepper batons

Hummus (preferably homemade — it’s so good!) and veggie batons are a nutritious, easy-to-prepare snack that also contributes to your five a day!

Perfect as an after-lunch or late-afternoon snack, this is a great way to get some veggies into your diet that may otherwise be bland.

 

Cereal

Everyone loves cereal, right? It's great news then that cereal is an ideal pre or post-training snack, helping to increase or restore energy.

Have a bowl with some plant-based or cow’s milk, or even yoghurt, for some added protein.

 

Bagels

Bagels: are they the best bread? They’re certainly up there. Impossible questions aside, bagels are a great source of starchy carbs for training and recovery, but some varieties may also be better as between-meal snacks as they are rich in fibre and slow-digesting carbohydrates.

They’re also the perfect parcel for a range of other healthy ingredients. A bagel with high-protein cream cheese is a great snack option when sustaining energy is the goal. On the other hand, a raisin and cinnamon bagel slathered with marmalade or jam may be better for fuelling an intense gym session!

 

Protein shake

This one shouldn’t require much explanation. Having a protein shake during the day (whenever it may be) is a great way to meet your protein requirements.

Having a shake after a workout supports recovery and helps you better adapt to the training you’ve just completed — a virtual must-have for any exercise enthusiast.

 

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are one of the best on-the-go workout options. Brimming with readily available carbs and plentiful in vitamins, minerals and fibre, dried fruits are great additions to smoothies, yoghurt, porridge bowls and protein puddings. They’re great to have on their own too — knocking back a small handful during a session could make all the difference to your performance!

 

FAQs

Which snack gives you the most energy?

It depends entirely on the serving size and what kind of energy you need. The more carbohydrates you have and the more readily available they are, the more energised you may feel. But bear in mind that may not last long as blood sugar will spike and dip if it isn’t used quickly.

If you need energy more immediately, opt for starchy and sugary carbs (fruits, beige carbs, etc).

If you need energy throughout the day, then opt for wholegrains, seeded or fibre-rich foods (fruit and veg for example).

 

What food gives fast energy?

These would be your starches and sugary carbs as they take the least amount of time to digest and absorb. This is why dried fruit and even gummy sweets are popular workout nutrition options!

 

How can I increase my energy?

Aside from nutrients, energy levels are also affected by quality of sleep as well as stress. Aim to have more slow-release energy sources throughout the day, and time fast-release energy sources around training.

It’s also beneficial to follow a sleep routine, manage stress and eat a well-balanced diet.

 

Take home message

Snacks play an important role in our diet, but they probably don’t get as much discussion as they deserve. After main meals, they're one of the main sources of energy and nutrients in our diets. They can be used to improve performance and recovery as well as sustain productivity and focus throughout the day.

For exercise, time and choice of snacks are important. Foods release energy in different ways, so we need to pick the right foods at the right times depending on what we need.

We must also remember to enjoy food too. Food is as good for happiness and pleasure as it's for nourishment and energy.

Want some snacking inspo?

READ THESE NEXT:

Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.

Jamie Wright
Writer and expert
View Jamie Wright's profile
myprotein