With the start of the holiday season comes every shopper’s favorite day: Black Friday. While some people enjoy curling up on the couch in a food coma the day after Thanksgiving, others are preparing to enter the jungle of their nearest mall.
If you choose to hit the mall this Black Friday in hopes of finding some great deals, you must be prepared to have all of the energy and nutrition you can get.
Here are 7 must-have food options to keep you alert, aware, and ready to fight for those discounted shoes.
1. Coffee
Photo by Lauren Murray
Caffeine, caffeine, and more caffeine. Black Friday is an all day event, and coffee is the best thing to start your morning with. It can be a quick trip to Starbucks or an easy to-go cup from your Keurig.
Whatever it is, make sure you get your coffee fix for the day so you can be ready to fight the crowds.
2. Protein-Packed Breakfast
Photo by Caroline Carbone
Have no fear — we are trying to beat the early morning lines in department stores too. For a breakfast that will take little time, try a yogurt parfait.
Start with a few scoops of yogurt on the bottom to get your protein fix, and top it off with your favorite granola and a few pieces of fresh fruit. Want an extra boost? Add in a banana with peanut butter.
If you’re not really into the whole yogurt thing, check out these protein-packed breakfast possibilities instead.
3. Energy Bars
Photo by Caroline Carbone
Energy Bars are best for a quick snack when you’re running to the next store sale or waiting in a check out line. Make sure you pick one with high protein and low sugar so you stay full and don’t crash after a sugar rush.
Try a Think Thin Bar for a sweet taste with no sugar, or a Quest Bar for a low-carb, gluten free snack. We’ve even ranked the best flavors for you here.
4. Apples
Photo by Parsa Lofti
Although contrary to common belief, apples don’t have caffeine in them. But, that doesn’t mean that they can’t give you a nice energy boost. One medium-sized apple can contain around 19 grams of sugar, which ultimately gives you a natural sugar rush to keep you going.
Kick the coffee and grab an apple when your stomach starts to growl and your eyes start to close. Your post-Thanksgiving body will thank you.
5. Water
Photo courtesy of growingagreenfamily.com
It’s going to be hard to get through a long day of shopping if you’re dehydrated. To save a few dollars, bring your own water bottle that you can refill throughout the day.
Having a lot of caffeine on Black Friday will dehydrate you quickly, so keep drinking water.
6. Thanksgiving Leftovers
Photo by Daniel Schulman
You’re going to be exhausted after you get home from your all-day shopping excursion, so you’re probably not going to want to cook a big meal.
Remember the mass amounts of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and everything under the sun crammed into your fridge? You have all of those leftovers from your Thanksgiving feast the night before.
Pop those bad boys in the microwave and you’re good to go.
7. Dark Chocolate
Photo courtesy of popsugar.com
When you need to satisfy your sweet craving, but have already eaten every bite of leftover pie (sorry, not sorry), go for a piece of dark chocolate. Rich in fiber, potassium, and iron, dark chocolate is a healthy alternative dessert option.
But, be careful. Brands, such as Hershey’s, add artificial ingredients to the chocolate. Do your body a favor and pick a brand like Ghirardelli instead. Chocolate with health benefits are any sweet tooth’s dream.
Happy shopping.