Snack on high fiber foods

With more and more retailers across the country opening Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving night, you’ll need all the energy you can muster. The key to staying full and focused at 2 a.m. is to fill up on dietary fiber, which is found in whole wheat products and oatmeal. Fiber works to keep you fuller longer while giving you a healthy dose of energy so you won’t have to stop your shopping for a snack! Because fiber fills you up, you’ll also eat less. Now you’ll be able to wear those skinny jeans you bought on sale.

Eat your protein

Lucky for you, this should be easy since Black Friday immediately follows Thanksgiving. Eating protein, which is found in Thanksgiving turkey, builds lean muscle and, like fiber, keeps you full longer. If you are sick of turkey but need a protein boost before you battle the lines, make an omelet or have a piece of toast with peanut butter.

Drink water

Nothing will slow your shopping down faster than dehydration. Instead of fueling up on peppermint lattes, drink plenty of water throughout your day to keep headaches away and fight unnecessary snacking. If you plan on being out all day, bring a water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Try to get as many as 4 full bottles of water in throughout the day.

Snack to stay focused

Don’t waste your time or your hard earned shopping money on the high fat, low nutrient fare at the food court this year. Packing a few eat and go snacks like granola bars, trail mix or spiced nuts will keep you moving and energized as the tired crowds start to dissipate. Keeping hunger at bay will allow you to shop longer, thus, scoring even more deals!

Don’t make the mistake of going Black Friday shopping on an empty stomach. Stay full, focused and determined as you fight away deal hungry soccer moms in Christmas sweaters.

Regardless of what the radio has been playing or what the commercials have been drilling into our heads, the holiday season doesn’t officially begin until Black Friday. Try these four power foods to start your season off bright and help you shake off the sleepy turkey coma that comes with Thanksgiving. Munching on these power snacks will make your 2:30 AM alarm somewhat bearable and help you survive the craziness that is Black Friday.

Melon Kabobs (Honeydew, Watermelon, Cantaloupe)

Staying hydrated is the most important energizing strategy for your Black Friday plan of attack. These melons are filled with water therefore replenishing your body, especially important after the Thanksgiving cider that may or may not have been spiked. Their juicy nutrients will shake you out of sleep and keep you functioning at your most optimal, shopping-ready level. Make it more fun: throw the melons on a stick and race to your car. Those lines don’t make themselves.

Mini Rice Cake, Peanut Butter & Banana Stacks

The childhood favourite is transformed to a mini energy appetizer that is easy to make and munch on while deciding between shopping deals. Both are packed with potassium, the power mineral that will kick you into gear. The sweet, creamy and crunchy combination is every peanut-butter lover’s dream. The treat will keep you focused and efficient in your shopping and will fill you up so you don’t have to worry about stopping at the food court (okay, besides getting a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s).

Pumpkin Seeds & Dried Fruit

Spice up your trail mix or dried fruit with the leftover pumpkin seeds that you still don’t know what do to with. Dried fruit is simply fruit without the water, which makes the nutrients more concentrated. Dried cranberries, grapes and plums have twice as many antioxidants as fresh fruit – just make sure to avoid the fruit with added corn syrup. Pumpkin seeds will add more flavour, crunch and overall festive-ness to your energy boost, getting your holiday spirit even more amped into gear.

Blueberries & Dark Chocolate

Make your Black Friday a blueberry Friday with the sweetest way to guarantee an everlasting energy that will power you through even the biggest of the department stores. These berries are arguably the healthiest for your body, full of antioxidants and potassium. Smother them in dark chocolate to enrich the tangy flavours and add a strong kick to your shopping experience. Just grab a bag from any grocery store and go!