If you feel a little tired and need a little pick-me-up, an energy snack could be just what you need. Here are some natural energy boosting and re-hydrating snacks.

• If you feel dehydrated or have a headache, then snack on fruits such as strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, plums and apricots. They provide water as well as nutrition.

• If you have to concentrate on a project or assignment, then have a slice of blueberry pie. Blueberries are brain food and will help to increase alertness.

• If you need more physical energy, then have a handful of assorted nuts or a peanut butter sandwich. The assorted nuts will provide a wider variety of nutrients since peanut butter has only peanuts. If you are dieting, then have the peanut butter on a stalk of celery.

• Carrot sticks are another natural energy snack. If you do not want to eat them plain, then spread with some cream cheese or peanut butter or dunk into avocado dip.

• Real cheese, such as swiss cheese, will also provide a natural energy boost. Stay away from "cheese food" as it is not the same as natural cheese.

• Celery and cream cheese is a filling snack for those times when it will be awhile until the next meal. Celery is a healthy food that is packed with nutrition.
• A cucumber and cream cheese flatbread sandwich is another filling energy snack. Cucumbers will re-hydrate the body since they are loaded with water.
• Choose a citrus snack such as slices of orange or grapefruit if you feel really exhausted. They are packed with vitamin C as well as water. Many times when someone feels tired, it is really just mild dehydration.

Although there are other natural energy snacks, I chose to mention these because they pack nicely in a lunch bag and can be eaten quickly at a desk while at work. They provide a quick energy boost from that mid-afternoon lull.

Here is a hub on weaning fast food from the diet: