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Five healthy high-energy vegetarian foods

You can steer clear of meat and still boost your energy levels considerably.

In the following pages we bring you five foods to snack on when you're in need of sustenance between meals.

Yoghurt

Did you know that a cup of yogurt is digested quicker by the body than many solid foods giving you a quick protein and carbohydrate energy boost?

Note that carbohydrates get digested faster than proteins.

Whole grains

Snack made up of whole grain breads, cereals (fibre-rich), pasta (whole wheat), brown rice and oatmeal are excellent for delivering and maintaining high energy -- and also help in weight loss.

Foods that contain proteins and fibre help in stabilising blood sugar levels as they help regulate the speed of digestion by moving food at the right pace through our digestive tract.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are an ideal fatigue fighting snack; the protein in nuts and seeds is converted into lasting energy. Magnesium in pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews helps fight muscle fatigue. Omega-3 fats in flaxseeds and walnuts are also heart-healthy.

Tryptophan in nuts (cashews, walnuts, almonds) and seeds (sesame, pumpkin) helps battle emotional fatigue and promotes sleep.

Beans

Beans are rich in complex carbohydrates and a good energy source for the body.

They are also loaded with dietary fibre that helps to control the flow of sugar in the bloodstream and helps maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

Beans have a low glycemic index and are high-energy foods for diabetic individuals too.

Dried fruit

Dried fruits provide healthy sugars, giving you a quick energy boost.

They are, however, a high-calorie snack so eat only a handful or in limited portions.