RECIPE: AVOID THE 3PM SLUMP

AVOID THE 3PM SLUMP

If you started your day full of energy, but by mid-afternoon you feel exhausted, there are certain foods you can eat to help you avoid the postlunch slump. Although it’s part of our normal circadian rhythm, whereby our natural reaction is to crave a sugar hit to help bring our energy levels back up, there is a healthier way to push on through.

Reaching for the right foods throughout the day can help us power on longer. Think of those slow release, low GI foods to snack on, such as nuts, cheese, nutty dips and wholegrain crackers. Make lunches based around a good serving of protein and wholegrains to fill you up without weighing you down, such a big ham and salad wholegrain roll or chicken and veggie curry with some brown rice. Junk foods will only leave you in the slump sooner rather than later, so keep a selection of more nutritionally dense snacks on hand to choose from, instead of sugary bars and biscuits.

Here is a super-easy lunch slice to keep in the fridge at home to pack on those busy morning

Zucchini Slice

INGREDIENTS

6 eggs 1 cup grated zucchini ½ cup self-raising flour 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 20 x 30cm baking tray with baking paper. 2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, add the remaining ingredients and season to taste. 3. Pour the contents into the prepared tray and bake for 25 minutes or until nice and brown. 4. Allow to cool slightly, then serve sliced with a simple little salad.

RECIPE NOTES

Grate into this onion, carrot, corn or sauté a little leek or bacon. Remember these are lovely served cold in the lunchbox.