If you’re searching for ways to avoid that post-meal crash, your answer might start right at the top of your plate: eggs. Recent nutrition studies show that beginning a meal with a protein source, like eggs, can help modulate how your body processes carbohydrates that follow (Jelenc et al., 2021). Here’s why it matters: when you eat protein first, it triggers the release of gut hormones that slow gastric emptying. This means the starches and sugars in your meal reach your bloodstream more gradually, leading to a slower, lower blood sugar spike.

Eggs make an easy starter—think a sliced hard-boiled egg or quick scramble. By front-loading your meal with this protein punch, you’re sending signals to your digestive system to get ready for a steadier release of glucose, rather than a rapid rush. Plus, eggs are packed with leucine and choline, two nutrients linked to satiety and brain function.

Next time you plate up lunch or dinner, try eating your eggs first before moving on to grains or fruit. It’s a simple swap, but one that could help you feel more alert and satisfied all afternoon. Give it a shot and see if you notice a difference in your energy curve!