It can be a struggle to get going in the mornings at least until you've had your first caffeine fix of the day that is.
But one nutritionist says there is a way to fight fatigue and be energised for the day ahead without reaching automatically for coffee or a cup of tea.
Leading Harley Street nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert shared with the Daily Mail the foods that can wake you up just as much as your morning brew.
All food gives you energy, but not all foods are created equal when it comes to their power to energise you.
It is also widely accepted that missing even one meal can cause fatigue by the end of the day.
Research suggests that consuming quercetin-rich foods increases endurance and boosts aerobic capacity, even when you're not exercising.
The skin of the apple contains the most quercetin so don't peel them. Photo / Getty Images
Quercetin also defends your brain cells from free radicals, which are attributed to cognitive decline.
Other foods that contain quercetin include peppers, tomatoes and leafy greens like spinach and kale.
Eggs
Choline also helps to support brain and muscle functioning. Photo / Getty Images
Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet and they're not just a great source of protein.
The yolks of eggs are naturally rich in B-vitamins, which are largely responsible for converting food into energy. Another micronutrient that eggs contain is choline, which is important for supporting energy levels.
With research suggesting that 90 per cent of people are getting less than the recommended amount of choline, eggs have an important place in everyone's diet.
Nuts
Nuts are a great snack with high levels of magnesium which is key to optimal body functioning. Photo / Getty Images
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body. Every cell in your body contains it, and needs it to function.
During exercise, you may actually need up to 20 per cent more magnesium than when you're resting.
Brazil nuts, almonds and cashews have some of the highest levels of magnesium. Nuts are also dense in other nutrients including healthy fats and protein, making them very filling
Dark Chocolate
Choose chocolate with high cacao content (90% or more). Photo / Getty Images
If you're eating chocolate for energy, you want the highest cacao concentration possible. It is cacao that contains the nutrients that people claim help fight stress and boost energy and focus.
Dark chocolate also contains a kick of caffeine, which some people may use to boost energy levels quickly.
Water
Make sure you are having eight or more glasses of water a day. Photo / Getty Images
Drinking water is important for so many reasons but energy is chief among them. If you're feeling lethargic, it may well be from dehydration, of which fatigue is a very common symptom.
A good first step towards greater wakefulness is to drink some water first thing, and strive towards keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Spinach and red meat
Eat spinach with vitamin C containing foods to increase iron absorption. Photo / Getty Images
Iron carries oxygen throughout the body, allowing organs to function effectively. Therefore, if you have low iron, you are essentially depriving your body's cells of oxygen. It is also an essential nutrient, and one you must get from food.
Spinach is often thought of as the go-to food for iron, but the vegetable contains a lot of non-heme iron, which isn't absorbed very well in the body.
Red meat is probably the most easily accessible source of heme iron but for those who don't eat red meat, ensure you include vitamin C in your diet, as it will help absorption significantly.
Make sure to eat fresh as these foods contain the highest nutrient concentrations. Photo / Getty Images
When any products are transported or stored, which typically happens when food is not in season, unfortunately their nutrient potential decreases.
Eating what is seasonally available will mean you are more likely to feel the benefits of the nutrients the fresh produce contains. The fresher the produce, the more alert and awake you feel after eating it.
