The Healthiest People We Know Share The No. 1 Energy-Boosting Food

If I'm looking for an energy boost (which, let's be honest, I usually am in the winter), my go-to food is grapefruit. Not only is it a vitamin C powerhouse, but its taste is so vibrant that it automatically brings me to life. I love it as a snack paired with sprouted nuts or as part of a salad with arugula, pistachios, avocado, and a light citrus vinaigrette.

—Allison (Aaron) Gross, M.S., RDN, CDN, founder of The Nutrition Curator

I like very, very dark chocolate—usually 90 to 100 percent. It's energy-boosting, and super anti-inflammatory. You can find me snacking on it most days!

—Isabel Smith, R.D., founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition

It's Mother Nature's multivitamin. Our energy comes from getting enough rest, our nutrition, and engaging with activities we're passionate about. It's surprisingly difficult to get all the micronutrients we need, so eating nutrient-dense foods like chicken liver is a great way to round out your nutrition to boost your energy. 

—Ellen Vora, M.D., mbg Collective member and founder of EllenVora.com

Call me basic, but avocados are my favorite source of healthy fats, which are essential for keeping my energy levels steady throughout the day. Upping your intake of healthy fats will help shift your body from relying on sugar for fuel to relying on fat. Unlike sugar, which is like kindling to a fire that quickly burns out and leaves you crashing, fat is like a log to a fire—slow-burning and long-lasting.

—Will Cole, D.C., mbg Collective member and author of Ketotarian

My favorite energizing food is typically banana and nut butter or sunflower seed butter. The classic combination of quick energy release from the fruit and the long-lasting addition of a nut or seed spread makes for a satiating snack. 

—Alanna Waldron, R.D., founder of Eats Real Food

I love raw almonds. They're a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are an effective way to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

—Jessica Sepel, nutritionist, mbg Class instructor, and founder of JS Health

FRUIT! I am a sucker for real food. It gets the job done. Some of my favorites are bananas, apples, and dates (I know that's a dried fruit, but it's still real food!), and sometimes I add some cinnamon or almond butter. It tastes like heaven and gives me the energy I need.

—Jordan Younger, mbg Collective member and founder of The Balanced Blonde

My favorite energy-boosting food is breakfast meets snack meets dessert. A power bowl of maple pecan granola topped with dates, cocoa nibs, sliced banana, and a sprinkle of bee pollen. I throw on a little splash of almond milk, and I am well-fueled and happy for hours.

—Kimberly Evans, M.S., R.D., founder of Whole Health Nutrition 

Whole, raw cacao beans. They are full of nutrients, over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries, and a little kick of caffeine to boost your energy.

—Vincent Pedre, M.D., mbg Collective member and author of Happy Gut

I love nut butter or coconut oil on rice cakes—I find that the combo gives me a great instant energy boost!

—Taz Bhatia, M.D., mbg Collective member and author of Super Woman Rx