Hold The Caffeine, Ideas for Energy Boosting Afternoon Snacks
May 14th 2025

Hold The Caffeine, Ideas for Energy Boosting Afternoon Snacks

Written by
Karen Roth, MSNC
Karen is a Certified Nutrition Consultant with a Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition. She enjoys sharing her knowledge to empower her clients to take control of their health with food and lifestyle choices.

The recommended daily caffeine limit for most adults is 400 mg. To put that in perspective, that would equal 4-5 cups of coffee, or 10 cans of cola or 2 energy drinks depending on the brand.  Consuming more than 400 mg can lead to headaches, dizziness, insomnia, Heart palpitation, jitters and anxiety. For sensitive individuals, even 200 mg can cause these side effects. If you feel restless, anxious or have trouble sleeping, it might be worth cutting back.

Hear are some great snacks to boost your energy without caffeine.

Energizing Carbs and Fiber

·         Banana with nut butter

·         Oatmeal with a drizzle of honey and nuts

·         Apple slices with nut butter

·         Hummus and sliced veggies give you a one-two punch of healthy carbs. You get carbs in the chickpea base of the hummus as well as the veggies. Choose higher fiber vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and green beans

Protein Packed

·         Turkey lunchmeat with a slice of cheese. Roll it up and you have a lean protein to keep you going.

·         Unsweetened Greek yogurt along with nuts and just a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. This offers not only protein but also healthy fats.

·         Cottage cheese with berries, chia seeds and pine nuts is a great mix of protein, fiber and healthy fats.

Quick Bites  

·         Trail Mix can have a balance of mixed fats and carbs. Choose a trail mix made mostly of nuts and seeds with just a small amount of dried fruit or raisins.

·         Dark chocolate covered almonds deliver a little caffeine with healthy fat

·         Avocado toast sprinkled with chia seeds offers healthy fats and fiber for lasting energy.

Sometimes you don’t have time to sit and take a break to eat something. So here are some options.

On-the-Go

·         Protein Bars that are low in sugar.

·         Rice cakes with nut butter and banana slices are a light, yet energizing snack for on the go.

·         Protein Shakes with low to no sugar.

·         Hard-boiled egg with a cheese stick.

·         Jerky with low sodium.

Featured Articles
The Foundation of Wellness: An Introduction to Mediterranean, MIND, and DASH Diets
Food + Diet / Mar 10th 2025
In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can often feel overwhelming. With countless diets and wellness trends to choose from, it's easy to get lost in the noise. However, three dietary approaches have stood the test of time and research: the Mediterranean, MIND, and DASH diets. These evidence-based eating
Read More
Setting Healthy Diet Goals for the New Year
Food + Diet / Jan 28th 2025
Setting healthy diet goals for the new year is an excellent way to combine your nutrition with exercise and overall well-being objectives. The following are some easy tips to get you started on achieving your goals. Define clear goals. They need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.
Read More
Conquer the 3 PM Crash: Nutrition and Lifestyle Hacks for Sustained Energy
Health + Wellness / Dec 04th 2024
Why We Get Tired in the AfternoonThe clock strikes 3 PM, and suddenly your eyelids feel heavy. Your energy levels plummet, and the only thing you can think about is a nap or grabbing another cup of coffee. Sound familiar? This midafternoon slump is a common experience for many people,
Read More