| For many of us, the average morning is akin to | | | | pep you up, sure, but once it wears off you're |
| being an extra in a zombie movie. Millions of | | | | left worse than when you started. |
| people stumble to work each day with stiff | | | | Eat when you're hungry. |
| muscles, bleary eyes, and heavy breathing, all | | | | Three square meals a day may be neater on a |
| punctuated by low, repeating moans. | | | | schedule, but it sure ain't healthier. Don't be afraid |
| "Coffeeeeee..." | | | | of snacking between meals! Doing this maintains a |
| Once you get that first cup of coffee, the | | | | reasonable amount of energy all day long. As an |
| dull-grey world explodes into brilliant color (think | | | | added bonus, you may lose some weight; |
| office cubicles housing three Bollywood musicals at | | | | counterintuitive as that sounds, spreading out your |
| once) and we become Superman. Alert! Active! | | | | caloric intake means you're less likely to overeat |
| Blessedly awake! Unfortunately, a few ticks of | | | | during "big" meals. |
| the hour hand later we're once again the Living | | | | Bear in mind, this does not mean you should be |
| Dead. The chair's pushed back, the coffee pot is | | | | munching down potato chips and cookies! What |
| hit, and the cycle repeats itself. | | | | you snack on is just as important as the snacking |
| Way too much of a good thing? | | | | itself. |
| Caffeine, though something of a wonder drug, is | | | | Good snacks: |
| getting abused. Taken in moderation, particularly in | | | | Fruit is loaded with energizing fructose, as well as |
| things like dark chocolate or black coffee, it can | | | | healthy fiber and plenty of antioxidants. An apple |
| have health benefits. 'Moderation,' however, | | | | with some peanut butter or a cool bunch of |
| becomes an unfamiliar concept when you're | | | | grapes can quickly take the place of that midday |
| drinking a dozen cups of coffee a day. High blood | | | | candy bar, and a yogurt-based fruit smoothie |
| pressure, anxiety, increased risk for cardiovascular | | | | makes a great replacement for your three cans |
| disease, and increased risk of ulcers are a few of | | | | of soda. |
| the problems associated with overconsumption. | | | | Almonds and other nuts are superb snacks as |
| The problem is, we need our caffeine; two thirds | | | | well-they're filling, crunchy, and bursting with |
| of Americans simply don't get enough sleep, | | | | omega-3 (that's the fat we actually should eat). |
| according to the National Sleep Foundation. For | | | | Yogurt and other low-fat dairy foods, too, provide |
| many, coffee won't cut it, leading to increased | | | | much needed energy along with nutrients |
| consumption of energy drinks like Red Bull or the | | | | necessary to maintain your metabolism and keep |
| charmingly-named Cocaine. And the stuff is | | | | your body healthy. |
| showing up where you'd least expect it: mints, | | | | Eat these foods throughout the day, never |
| chewing gum, donuts. | | | | overeating (gorging yourself leads to fatigue, like |
| But there are plenty of strategies you can use to | | | | when you nod off at Thanksgiving). In addition, |
| remain energized while avoiding excessive | | | | consider foods high in iron like steak once or twice |
| caffeine. It takes a little more effort than buying | | | | a week; iron is important for energy, too. It's |
| that mocha or opening that Coke, but you're | | | | okay to drink a cup or two of coffee along with |
| guaranteed to feel better than ever before. | | | | all this, but if you find yourself downing seven |
| Eat breakfast. | | | | hugelarge cups of espresso each day: cut back. |
| Yes, it's a cliché, but breakfast remains | | | | And finally, most importantly... |
| the most important part of your day. Not only will | | | | Sleep. |
| a proper meal in the A.M. (not a chocolate bar and | | | | Even with new wonder-drugs like Modafinil-which |
| some soda pop) energize you for hours, it'll help | | | | can keep a person up for 40 hours straight with |
| you keep your weight down-the body uses | | | | no side-effects-sleep experts reiterate there is no |
| nutrients less efficiently when it wakes up, | | | | substitute for a full night's rest. The brain needs it, |
| meaning you'll retain fewer unneeded calories by | | | | the body needs it, your very soul needs it. We |
| having that food earlier in the day. | | | | aren't machines; no matter what we put into our |
| Ideal breakfast foods include oatmeal, high-fiber | | | | bodies to keep them running, if we don't have |
| cereals, veggies, and whole-wheat toast. Because | | | | sleep to go along with it we'll eventually pay |
| they contain so much fiber, it takes you longer to | | | | dearly. |
| process the sugars inside, meaning your body | | | | So next time you reach for your coffee mug, |
| gets a slow, steady flow of energy instead of | | | | consider having some fruit instead-and get some |
| one tidal wave. One massive jolt of caffeine will | | | | sleep once you get home from work! |