If you’re someone who constantly wakes up tired, you’ll likely reach for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. You don’t want to go overboard on the java, however, and what you eat for breakfast makes a difference, too. Eating the right foods first thing in the morning can improve your focus and productivity and help you snap out of that fatigue.
Here are five energy-boosting foods if you can’t wake up in the morning.
1. Nut Butter
Spread some almond butter or peanut butter on toast, eat it with some bananas, or pair it with your morning oatmeal. A study from the European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition found that eating nuts can help not only keep you full, but increase your energy levels.
2. Oatmeal
Time to load up on those complex-carbohydrates in the a.m. A study from the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that people who eat a breakfast high in carbohydrates report feeling more alert than people who eat a diet just high in fat.
3. Eggs
Who doesn’t love a good egg-filled breakfast in the morning? Whether you’re a fan of scrambled or hard-boiled, research from the International Journal of Obesity found that adults who ate two eggs in the morning experienced higher energy levels than those who ate a bagel.
4. Chocolate
In addition to containing some caffeine, chocolate contains other stimulants called theobromine and tryptophan. Opt for dark chocolate that contains 70 percent cocoa or higher.
5. Grapefruit
A morning piece of fruit is a great way to get a natural sugar-rush. To boot, the smell of citrus is energizing and can help increase your mental stimulation.
