Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! 😀
I was originally planning on sharing a Whistler recap with you guys today, but I got hit with some last minute foodie inspiration, so you’re getting a WIAW instead. Any objections? Do you like seeing what Spoons ate in a day? Not so much? Let me know! I can’t promise that I’ll do it every week, but I’ll try to make it a more regular thing if you like 🙂
But back to my foodie inspiration — let’s talk source. For whatever reason, I was tired as heck yesterday. Actually, scratch that… I know the reason. I woke up at 4:12 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep. So, yeah… tired as heck and very much in need of some get-me-through-the-day strategies. Luckily, I just so happen to have a few of those strategies on hand, so without further ado… what I ate, and how I stayed awake…
When I’m tired I… make sure to eat enough early in the day.
A salted caramel cookie dough smoothie. Current obsession — expect a recipe soon.
If I don’t get enough sleep, I end up being extra hungry; and when I’m extra hungry, all I want to do is snack all day. It makes sense, right? I mean… the body has to make up for the missing energy somehow, and a lack of sleep can actually mess with our appetite regulating hormones, making it harder for us to distinguish between what’s real hunger and what isn’t. To keep myself from going snack crazy and eating half a box of cereal later in the evening, I like to make sure I get plenty of calories in early in the day… and what better way to do that than with a nice big smoothie?
I love smoothies for this sort of thing because you can pack a tonne of energy and nutrition into them without having to deal with too much bulk; and the fact that everything is blended up means your stomach doesn’t have to use as much energy digesting your meal so you can use that energy on something else. Win, win!
When I’m tired I… drink coffee.
A homemade latte made with coconut milk alongside a bowl of dates.
This one is kind of obvious, but caffeine is a great way to give yourself an extra boost… as long as your system can handle it and you don’t go overboard. Even on days where I’m dragging, I try to limit myself to 12-16 oz. of coffee a day because I find that amount gives me a nice boost without getting me to the point where I’m running on fake energy and overexerting myself. That and any more makes my stomach go all wonky.
When I’m tired I… exercise.
Half an avocado, Blue Diamond Nut Thins, Dr. Kracker crispbreads, cucumber slices, a carrot, dried figs, and Tribe hummus..
Have you ever noticed that the more time you sit, the more tired you become? You’d think it would be the opposite since you’re not exactly doing anything strenuous, but sitting is exhausting… which is why you always want to make sure to break up long periods of sitting with at least 5 minutes of activity. Not only is it good for your heart, but it’ll help wake you up and keep you focused. I spent 45 minutes messing around in my apartment gym in the morning, and I felt like a completely different person afterwards. Bodies are made to move.
When I’m tired I… drink plenty of water.
Another salted caramel cookie dough smoothie. I may have mentioned I’m obsessed?
Did you know that fatigue is one of the symptoms of even mild dehydration? Fatigue, lightheadedness, headaches, digestive distress… the list ain’t pretty. The majority of our body is made up of water and every single one of our cells needs it to function, so it’s a good idea to make sure you get enough. Everyone’s water needs are different, changing with things like activity level and temperature, but 8 cups is a pretty good baseline to start with. On average, I’d say I drink about 2.5 – 3L a day.
When I’m tired I… eat plenty of carbs.
A bowl of red quinoa cooked in coconut milk and nutritional yeast, with steamed broccoli, carrots, and canned chickpeas.
I find that I feel my best eating a higher carb diet in general, but I seem to crave them even more when I’m feeling tired. Not only do they give me energy, but they help keep me happy and satisfied. That being said, there are plenty of people who do better eating a diet higher in protein or fat — it’s all about figuring out what makes you feel your best and going with that.
When I’m tired I… go to sleep earlier.
A bowl of Barbara’s Morning Oat Crunch, almonds, and butterscotch chips with a side of almond milk.
… except that didn’t end up happening last night 😆 I guess my energy-building tactics must have worked a little too well, because I ended the day with a tonne of energy and no desire to sleep. I usually try to shut things down around 8 or 9 and start to unwind, but I ended up breaking my rules by 2 or 3 hours last night. Oops 😳 Time will tell if I have to use more of these tricks today!
Hope you guys are having an awesome Wednesday! See you tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud! 😀
Do you enjoy reading WIAW posts?
What’s your go-to when you’re feeling tired?
What time do you usually go to sleep?
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curious, do you like dried figs or dried dates better? Or raisins or apricots instead? I don’t know the difference in taste between a date and a fig! 🙂
I think dates will always be my favourite dried fruit. And the difference in taste is pretty subtle, but dates really do taste a little bit more caramelly. They also don’t have the crunchy seeds 🙂
Thanks much…on my grocery list for shopping tomorrow. Will most likely try the Medjoola dates!!!
Can’t wait for the recipe – your smoothie sounds divine!!
Oooh that smoothie sounds good. Anything with “salted caramel” in the name is bound to be good!
It’s funny because when I’m tired, I avoid caffeine like the plague. It actually makes me feel worse for some reason!
My kids really love that morning oat crunch! And all Barbara’s cereals really. Sitting does make me tired but I haven’t really found a way around that one yet, especially when I need to get things done on the computer.
I know what you mean about needing to get work done. One thing I’ve found that really helps is getting up every once in a while and doing some jumping jacks or running in place for a minute — it’s a great way to get the blood flowing without requiring you to get distracted from your work 🙂
I NEEDED to read this this morning! You nailed me on the sitting. It is so true too. Thank you Amanda! I’m going to have to make myself a smoothie asap … and cookie dough sounds beyond delicious. 🙂
YES I love your WIAW posts! You always have such an interesting and unique point of view for each of them. So fun 🙂
Hmm my bed time in college is anywhere from 11 pm on a good night to 1:30 am, which still isn’t terrible. Hopefully that average can stick throughout my time here, but….that’s probably wishful thinking.
When I’m tired, exercise is definitely a wonderful way to boost my energy, and a darn good breakfast also keeps me going. My breakfast of choice on this sleepy day is microwave dorm oats with protein powder, banana, and peanut butter. Classic made easy. 😉
Love that wee bowl of dates, the perfect snack for an instant boost of energy!
Like you, when it am tired, I make sure I eat enough and drink enough water. I never want to eat when I am tired so often I have to force myself. But I always feel better when I do eat something.
I go to bed every night at 9pm! But I am up for CrossFit at 5.30am and know I will be useless if I haven’t had enough sleep!
I’d be MORE than happy to share some of my sleepy snackiness with you! Maybe we could balance each other out…
Look at you changing up the eats….and seeing as what happens to you, happens to me and vica versa…thanks. Thanks alot.
I see some (extra) tired days coming.
That smoothie sounds delicioous, can’t wait for the recipe. And you’re so right, sitting around makes you more tired! I’m working on breaking up my sitting around at work.. it’s tough, though!
I try to go to sleep around 11, but sometimes that ends up being later at school when I’ve got work to do. When I’m feeling super tired, I try to make the most of the day, and then let myself crash as early as I want.
I can’t even tell you how many 4 a.m. mornings I’ve had. My mom got insomnia in her early 20s so I’m a liiiiiitle worried. I should fuel my morning better like you. I’m always confused at how much I should eat on those kinds of days cause I’m awake for an extra 3-4 hours. That smoothies looks amazing!
When I am tired I am cold! Lol not sure if that is just me.
Definitely not just you! I have a hardest time staying warm as well!
pancakes (the oat ones you posted earlier) and salted smoothie.. um, wow! i’m going to go to sleep so i dream of that and maybe attempt to make it in the morning yes? xxoo
How delish that you cooked your quinoa in coconut milk and nooch! Straight up dreamy, my love.
I know this is going to sound really weird but I like WIA but on a different day because it seems like every blog I read has a WIAW and it gets too repetitive THOUGH I really liked how you set it up today so that made me want to read it rather than just skim through. Nice to have a subtopic to clarify what you ate.
I’m early to bed, early to rise no matter what. That gets hard here in the states with Daylight Savings time so in the summer I have to use my shades a lot (:
I see dried datesa and dried figs… do you eat dried prunes? I just started this past week and I am HOOKED!
Sometimes! They’re one of those things that I love, forget about, randomly start eating again, and wonder why I ever stopped.
Amanda, that smoothie looks divine! I totally agree with everything you said, there’s nothing as energising as working out. Aaand coffee of course!
I like how you put a different spin on all your WIAW posts so we’re getting something more than just pictures of food.
Also, thanks for the two smoothie pics…not it’s pretty much all I want. I’m going to be stalking your blog until you post the recipe. [who am I tryna kid, we all know I stalk your blog on a regular 😳 lol]
Your food pictures are always so gorgeous! When I’m tired I try to drink plenty of water and get outside!
Okay, you have me drooling over your salted caramel cookie dough smoothie. Can’t wait for the recipe!
I love the WIAW posts. So much fun seeing everyone’s eats and yours are always so pretty too! When I’m tired, I definitely want to eat more but sometimes I tend to overindulge so I have to be careful. I always force myself to workout though because that makes me feel better.
I too like to reach for some carbs when I’m tired! I also try to drink a lot of water to supplement my coffee 🙂 I typically start craving sweets which can be hard to try and avoid overeating. Eek!
I’m loving that veggie plate you put together! Those blue diamond nut thin are one of my favorites
Great tips! Walking around is so key, especially because I’m at a desk all day. A little walk is so refreshing.
I’m the same way that when I don’t get enough sleep I end up being much more hungry so I completely understand you there. I really hope you are able to get some sleep. That smoothie looks absolutely gorgeous, I approve. I always force myself to get to bed by 9pm otherwise I’m completely miserable and tired.
Mannnnnn that smoothie girl! Has me drooling for sure 🙂
And I’ve got to restock my dates. I haven’t had any in far too long, and its making me very sad!
I would offer you some of mine, but ere my 2 lb. bag is somehow down to a handful of dates!
I cannot wait for that smoothie recipe!
I had SO MUCH TROUBLE sleeping last night. I woke up at like 3 and couldn’t fall back asleep until well after 5. I think partly because I was hungry. I ate some oatmeal and then finally fell back asleep!
I’ve been SO BAD with going to bed on a decent time lately! I can partly blame unemployment, and partly blame texting a certain chef who usually gets done work after 10. But ya, I’m usually lights out around 1:30 these days….oops.
and I like WIAW because in this case, it reminds me to drink more smoothies. I want yours!
Carbs are definitely my go-to energizers!
I cannot wait to see the recipe for that smoothie! It’s funny how it is easy to forget the simplest things but when you wake up in the middle of the night or super early morning you can always remember the time down to the minute. Funny how things stick in the brain! 🙂 I usually try to be in bed by 10 and lights out no later than 10:30. I’m usually good with sticking to that but if I’m into a good book it can be hard to put it down!
Some of my latest nights lately have been caused by books! But I absolutely love coming across a book that I just can’t put down, so it’s hard to stay mad at them 😉
your WIAW posts are some of my favorite! Seeing what other people eat throughout the day gives me ideas for how to feed myself :p
I’m definitely with you on eating enough in the morning – I wake up around 3:30 for work (blech) and without a big breakfast and a snack halfway through the workday I can’t really function.
I’ve started eating much more fat and my energy levels have gone way way up – i love seeing how different people get their energy best from different macros.
GASP! That smoothie sounds so so goooooood….I’d probably be obsessed too, Amanda. And I always love how you do your WIAWs! They’re very clever and keeps things fresh. 🙂
Please continue WIAW, I get inspired to try new things 🙂
I like the way you eat when you’re tired. It’s right up my alley. When I’m really exhausted, I try to eat right, drink plenty of water and limit contact with others…less chance of me biting someone that way. 😉
I find on my sleepier days I forget water which leads me to my carb fests. That’s such good advice to stay hydrated. I try to get to bed earlier on those days, especially because I’m up for school but 10:30 or so is my bed time typically.
🙂 Keep those WIAW coming lady… I love ’em!
I have been tired all week, due to not sleeping well and it is the WORST and yes it totally messes with your mind and body. 🙁 I also drink lots of coffee, water, and had a delicious smoothie as well. Great tired minds think alike. Cannot wait to see this smoothie! NOM NOM!
Has it been your apple pumpkin smoothie? Because I just saw your guest post over on Alexis’ blog and that looks ah.maze.ing!
Those are all awesome ways to get through the day when you do not get enough sleep. Like you, I have noticed sometimes they work too well! 🙂 I am sure you will be going to bed early tonight.
I’m pretty much tired every day as of late… so I can say when I’m tired, I just keep truckin’ and eat some chocolate. I need to work on getting more sleep! Lately it’s been an 11 pm bedtime only to wake up at 6 or earlier, which is no fun. I just make sure to eat enough carbs and fat when I’m tired so that I don’t look like death
A salted caramel cookie dough smoothie!?! That sounds like a pregnant woman’s dream! Can’t wait for you to post the recipe!
Great suggestions lady! My hunger (and brain power) are always off when I’m tired, but usually the day after! Is that weird?
I love your snack plates! I want to dive right in!