It’s only Week 3, and it’s safe to say we are all starting to feel tired and sluggish. Life inevitably gets busy as we try to balance school, work and play, so it’s easy to fall into the trap of not eating well — or forgetting to eat at all, for that matter. This is especially hazardous, since our diets have a huge impact on our metabolism and energy levels. After all, eating good food does put you in a good mood.

No matter how conscious you are when it comes to eating “right,” there are several ordinary foods you can eat that will surely give you an instant energy boost!1. Almonds

What’s great about almonds is that they are rich in Vitamin B. When we lack a substantial amount of Vitamin B in our bodies, we find ourselves feeling more tired and irritable than usual.

2. Fresh fruit

Fruits like bananas are a great source of fiber, potassium and Vitamin B — all of which help reduce any feelings of lethargy or fatigue. As for oranges, Vitamin C is known to turn your fat into energy!

3. Dried fruit

Fresh produce is already great enough, but the cool thing about dried fruit is that it locks a higher concentration of nutrients into place, which means you’ll be getting all the energy you can possibly get from your food.

4. Dark chocolate

Wait, chocolate can boost your energy? Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which is a natural stimulant that is known to give you quick boosts of energy. Just make sure you don’t eat too much chocolate, because sugar highs definitely don’t sustain your energy for long periods of time.

5. Brown rice and quinoa

Brown rice and quinoa are readily available at several of the dining halls across campus. These whole grain foods are high in fiber, which is a plus!

6. Water with lemon

You should drink enough water every single day in order to stay hydrated and avoid fatigue in general. However, adding lemon is even better way to boost your energy because it adds vital electrolytes to your water.

7. Popcorn

Homemade popcorn is a great source of whole-grain carbohydrates — the better alternative to simple refined carbs that cause you to crash and burn after a short period of time. Unfortunately, microwavable popcorn isn’t the best option, since it typically contains high amounts of oil and butter.

As you try these energy-boosting foods, don’t forget to eat breakfast and to eat frequent but small meals throughout the day.

Happy eating!

Contact Clarissa Gutierrez at cgutier ‘at’ stanford.edu.