According to nutritionists, this humble dip is so high in protein that it can help your body fight hunger cravings and help balance your blood sugar levels. Its high iron content also serves as an energy booster, motivating consumers to exercise more. A blend of chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice and salt, hummus can be conveniently found at supermarkets or made at home, and can easily be paired with foods like pita, sandwiches and soup.

Check out these delicious chickpea recipes too:
Pumpkin, Chickpea And Chorizo Bake
Chickpea and Vegetable Curry
Chickpea Mince Curry

A much healthier choice than than regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are higher in vitamins A and C and fibre, and lower in carbohydrates. A medium sized sweet potato also contains a staggering 483 kilojoules (115 kcal) of energy. What this means is that you can easily replace your regular potato and enjoy the same starchy dishes you love – whether it’s mashed potato, potato stew or baked potato — and have more fuel for the day ahead.

Check out these easy and delish sweet potato recipes:
Nian Gao Purple Sweet Potato Balls
Crumbed Fish With Sweet Potato Chips
Greek Meze Gyros Bowl

These greens are super versatile, with your dining options ranging from having them in a salad, boiled in soup or mashed and even baked. As starchy vegetables, beans contain so much protein that they’re also part of the protein food group. High in fibre, they provide long-lasting energy so you won’t have to worry about a sugar crash later on in the day. Click here for delicious vegetable soup recipes.

Did you know than avocados contain more potassium than bananas? Half of a medium avocado (75 g) alone contains 684 kilojoules (163 kcal) of energy. They also contribute almost 20 types of vitamins and minerals to your diet, including fibre and vitamins E and C. The best part is the mono-unsaturated fats – that’s right, this is virtually the only fruits that contain good fats that are good for your heart! Click here for five yummy recipes that include this superfood. 

READ MORE: Heart Health Myths You Need To Stop Believing

Jam-packed full of dietary goodness like protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-12, just a 100-gram serving of yoghurt provides 406 kilojoules (97 kcal) of dietary energy. Despite being extremely concentrated in energy, yoghurt is relatively low in fat (plain yogurt from whole milk only contains five per cent fat), which makes it perfect for daily consumption. Here are 10 healthy recipes that use yoghurt. 

READ MORE: Domestic Diva Awards 2018: The Best Breakfast Essentials For Hearty Morning Meals

High in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals, leading to a host of health benefits. From improving immunity to boosting the brain and heart, you’ll be best off having salmon with vegetables. This helps you stay full and energised for longer. We’ve got 27 awesome salmon recipes for lunch, dinner and everything else. 

Got a major sweet tooth? You’ll be pleased to know that dark chocolate is an extremely nutritious and energy-boosting food. High in cocoa solids which help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, dark chocolate also contains plenty of antioxidants and nutrients like iron, fibre, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. Here are 10 chocolate-infused recipes to indulge in.

There’s a reason why this superfood is a go-to for health junkies and gym rats – it’s a top source of protein, a key component that keeps hunger pangs at bay. In fact, researchers at the University of Illinois have found that people who consume more protein had higher levels of energy compared to people who consumed a higher amounts of carbs. Click here for tasty recipe ideas!

High in omega-3 fatty acids, tuna is also a great source of vitamin D and protein. Besides increasing your energy levels, it plays a part in reducing the cholesterol in the arteries and boosting your immune system. As a commonly found ingredient in foods like sandwiches, they’re also convenient to have on the go – since canned tuna and tuna mayonnaise are affordable and delicious. Check these yummy tuna recipes. 

Start your day right with a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast instead of the usual sugary cereal or piece of bread, and you’ll find that the urge to snack before lunch has vanished. Don’t enjoy the taste of rolled oats? Try adding some yoghurt or honey in to improve its taste. You’ll thank yourself later – every 100 grams of rolled oats contains 1,590 kJ (379 kcal) of energy, perfect for anyone with a hectic schedule or busy lifestyle.

READ MORE: How To Make These 23 Unhealthiest Breakfast Foods Healthier

This one’s a no-brainer, and is probably the first thing you reach for when you’re feeling sluggish and fatigued. But besides being a great pick-me-up thanks to its high caffeine content, did you know that coffee can help to kick start your metabolism, increase endurance, improve focus and lessen pain? This makes it the perfect drink before you dive into a high-intensity workout.

READ MORE: 
5 Barista Tricks To Turn Instant Coffee Into A Cafe-Worthy Cuppa At Home
Small Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Boost Your Energy Big Time
So This Is Why We’re So Tired Even After Sleeping For 8 Hours

Text: Zoe Zeng, Additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew
Photos: Shutterstock