Energy Boost WITHOUT Bad Foods?

  • So, I've been trying to make healthy changes for a while. I've lost about seven pounds. However, they are starting to creep back after two weeks of having on and off days.

    I'm a college student. I tend to stay up late. I've found that eating really unhealthy things, like energy drinks and deep dish pizza, REALLY help me energy-wise when I'm about to fall asleep and need to finish homework.

    Are there any lower calorie options that will give me energy? Diet soda doesn't do it for me anymore.

    Helppppp. =(
  • Hmmm....some quick cardio exercise always revs my energy back up. Jumping jacks, running in place, crazy dancing, and they are all zero calorie!
  • I usually guzzle diet coke. Even though it is not the most healthy, its still zero calories!
  • I will second the quick cardio burst. Something to get the blood flowing and the adrenaline pumping. I do not drink caffeine or eat/drink any kind of sugar or artificial sweeteners so this is one of my only options. High protein snacks are another option, maybe even some of the higher protein, lower glycemic nutrition bars.
  • I agree that getting up for a few minutes and being active when studying refreshes me when studying or otherwise working. If you need a snack, one I find energizing is low-fat plain greek yogurt with a little bit of blue agave nectar on it. The mix of protein and carbs really wakes me up and gets me working again. I feel mentally alert and ready to go. I am not sure if it is the Greek yogurt or the Agave nectar, but it also puts me in a better mood.
  • if you are going to do energy drinks do sugar free energy drinks. I am unsure of how a deep dish pizza could possibly make one "alert". I think that may just be a psychosematic thing.

    Get some natural sugars like an apple if that is what you are lacking.

    My go to: black coffee. You can also do green tea.
  • Quote: if you are going to do energy drinks do sugar free energy drinks. I am unsure of how a deep dish pizza could possibly make one "alert". I think that may just be a psychosematic thing.

    Get some natural sugars like an apple if that is what you are lacking.

    My go to: black coffee. You can also do green tea.
    It could be that her blood sugar is low because of not eating, in which case eating pizza would work wonders....but then so would low fat cheese on fiber bread... I would make sure you are eating often enough. You may be thinking that normally people don't eat at 11pm, but if it has been 5 hours since the last time you ate, your body probably does need fuel. But if it is just you need to focus, then I personally like to make a big mug of hot tea, and just drop 1/2 a stick of cinnamon in it. Caffeine with out the sugar, plus it smells awesome!
  • I'm sure this isn't the healthiest thing, but it's caffeine that works for me. My go-to is a Starbucks skinny latte (expresso with nonfat milk). A grande is 130 calories, with the nutrition of a glass of nonfat milk.
  • I don't think you can replace sleep with food! That being said, my favourite night time snacks are a cup of green tea or a frozen small yogurt container (takes forever to eat).
  • i really like those little 5 hour energy shot drinks. i take like two sips of one and i'm raring to go!! really good for when you need to make yourself do that work out you don't want to.
  • Make sure you eat often enough, and not too much. I work 12 hour shifts (plus I have 2 kids with activites that keep me up later than I would like some nights.) I make sure I eat every couple of hours. I do drink coffee, but the caffine bursts only last for so long. complex carbs help keep up my energy. If you NEED to stay awake, then have a sandwich with protein (I like peanut butter). Otherwise enough sleep is very important.
  • I like to munch on a little air-pop popcorn while I do my homework if I have the munchies. Or edamame. Or I make a "smoothie" in my magic bullet with ice and a crystal lite on the go packet.