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