Quick, Tasty And Healthy Snacks

Todays post is by our very own Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Michelle (not to mention my “much better half”):

We all love snacks, right?

But easy, tasty and healthy snacks that go beyond the standard (i.e. boring) “vegetables and hummus” can be rather elusive to those of us seeking variety in our weekly meal plan.

Snacks are a vital part of a healthy meal plan, especially when main meals are more than 4 hours apart.

Left without fuel for too long, our brain begins to react to our bodys’ need for energy by craving sugar, or variations of salty-crunchy goodness.  Like a guided missile, we head for the kitchen cabinets or snack machine and before we know what hit us, we’ve consumed something we wish we hadn’t.

Healthy snacks, planned in advance can relieve us of this chain of events.

At The Human Form, we favor whole foods (you know, the kind Mother Nature made for us, or that you could make in your own kitchen) in a combination that leaves us satisfied until our next meal.  To make the most of this ever-so-important “mid-day feeding”, be sure to combine a protein, a carbohydrate AND a fat.  Put all 3 together, and you have something that will leave your brain, your body and your belly happy at least 2 hours.

Toss out your pretzels and chips, your granola bars and your crackers (yes, even the gluten-free ones) and check out these alternative:

Snacks

Nut Butter with banana, apple or pear

Nut butter with cauliflower or carrots

Celery and nut butter

Nut Mix w/a small piece of fruit

Nut mix on greek yogurt

Greek yogurt with mangoes, kiwis and cashews

Cottage cheese with sliced peaches and cinnamon

Cheese with fruit or vegetables

Sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves

Sliced tomatoes with goat cheese and chives

Turkey and cheese roll ups

Jicama or celery wrapped with ham slices

Green beans and avocado/chick pea hummus

Snap peas and black bean or lentil dip

Veggies with guacamole and/or salsa

HF Approved bar – kind, lara, epic, organic food bars, etc.

Protein/fruit/veggie smoothie

Hard boiled eggs and orange slices

Tom Tom’s turkey sticks and an apple

Sprouted grain toast w/goat cheese and raspberries

Brown rice cake with nut butter, coconut, dried cherries

Overnight oats w/chia seeds, coconut, cinnamon

Sardines and red pepper slices

Smoked salmon and goat cheese on endive leaves

Plantain chips with guacamole and/or salsa

Baked chick peas and broccoli trees

Summer Squash spears with red beet hummus

Cocoa nibs and shredded coconut on sliced pears

Chia seed pudding with nuts and berries

Mashed white beans/olive oil/garlic, with cucumber slices

Sweet potato topped with cranberries, bacon, broccoli and feta cheese

Sprouted grain wrap with veggies, sharp cheddar and avocado slices

Hopefully that’s enough for now, at least to get you started.

Try them out and let us know what you think.

Or share YOUR favorite quick and healthy snack ideas with