- Boost midmorning focus with a balanced snack like dried apricots and almonds.
- This combo delivers steady energy and brain-supporting nutrients to keep you alert.
- Morning sunlight, movement, hydration and a consistent bedtime also help sharpen focus.
By 10 a.m., you might notice your energy dipping. You’re staring at your screen, trying to focus—but it just isn’t happening. The fix? A smart, healthy morning snack.
Even a nutritious breakfast sometimes isn’t enough to carry you all the way to lunch, especially if those meals are hours apart. While there are plenty of healthy snacks to choose from, one underrated snack for boosting focus is almonds paired with dried apricots.
Keep reading to find out why experts say this simple snack could give your brain the edge it needs to power through busy mornings.
Why Almonds and Dried Apricots Can Help Improve Focus
It Provides You with Sustained Energy
According to Kiara DeWitt, RN, CPN, almonds with dried apricots is a top snack choice to support focus. This combination hits a trifecta that helps provide sustained energy and improves concentration: protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates.
Pairing protein and healthy fats with carbohydrates helps maintain steady energy throughout the morning, rather than causing a quick sugar spike followed by an inevitable crash. ”Following the consumption of a well-balanced and nutritious snack, your body will experience a stable increase in blood sugar levels that provide a constant flow of energy for your brain function, as opposed to rapid peaks or declines,” says Kezia Joy, M,D. “Maintaining a constant flow of energy will help maintain focus and reduce mental fatigue while performing challenging tasks.”
While managing blood sugar fluctuations is important for everyone, it’s especially important for people who need to closely monitor their levels, such as individuals with type 2 diabetes.
It Supports Brain Function
Almonds and apricots are both nutrient powerhouses that support brain function. Almonds provide brain-boosting monounsaturated fats, protein, vitamin E, magnesium and B vitamins. Research shows that regularly eating nuts can promote long-term brain health, thanks to their mix of healthy fats and neuroprotective nutrients.
Meanwhile, dried apricots are packed with potassium, natural sugars and fiber that support healthy nerves and give a quick energy boost balanced by slow-digesting carbohydrates. A little natural sugar in the morning can actually be a good thing, especially when paired with fiber. Both almonds and dried apricots contain fiber, making it the perfect pairing for steady energy to fuel your brain.
It Supports Neurotransmitter Production
Almonds also contain tyrosine, an amino acid found in protein that the body converts into dopamine with consistent intake over time, helping you feel more awake and focused. Studies show that consuming tyrosine-rich foods can improve cognitive performance in adults, enhancing a person’s working memory and executive function.
In addition, well-balanced meals and snacks containing proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats support overall neurotransmitter and hormone production—both of which are essential for focus and alertness.
Joy explains that optimal morning nutrition is crucial for optimizing hormone and neurotransmitter function, which tends to be most effective in the early hours of the day. “The synchronization between nutritional intake and circadian rhythms has been shown to improve memory, alertness and problem-solving capabilities.”
Other Strategies
Along with this simple morning snack, try these other strategies to boost focus:
- Get Some Sunlight. Sunlight helps realign your circadian rhythm, reduce grogginess and supports executive function, says DeWitt. Whether it’s a quick morning walk or simply soaking in some rays, this simple habit can set your morning up for success.
- Stay Hydrated. “Water jump-starts digestion and circulation, which helps every cell in the body, including your brain cells, to wake up and perform their job better,” says DeWitt.
- Skip Sugary Foods. “If you want to wake up and feel more alert, skip sugary breakfasts and sugary snacks,” says Lila Landowski, Ph.D. “A 2022 study found that people who consumed high-sugar breakfasts had lower levels of morning alertness, regardless of how well they slept.”
- Have a Consistent Bedtime. Going to bed at a consistent time each night supports healthy circadian rhythm regulation, helping you feel alert in the morning and sleepy at night.
- Exercise. Taking a quick morning exercise break can boost both energy and focus. Even a brief walk or a few body-weight exercises at your desk can increase blood flow and help you feel more alert.
Our Expert Take
Before reaching for another cup of coffee or an energy drink, try a healthy midmorning snack. A handful of almonds and dried apricots provides a balanced mix of nutrients that support steady energy and brain health. Experts also recommend habits like getting morning sunlight, moving your body and staying hydrated as simple yet effective strategies for better focus. These smart tweaks can take your mornings from sleepy to sharp.