Twenty healthy snack ideas

The key to healthy snacking is to find foods that have as much nutritional value as possible that will fill you up so you aren’t hungry again in an hour and/or cause a decrease in your energy levels. For example: a 100 calorie ‘snack pack’ of chips or cookies will leave you feeling hungry again very soon AND they are not healthy for you at ALL. If you eat a banana with the same amount of calories, you are eating something super healthy (vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc.) that will fill you up longer (and help you feel better). The more “whole foods” (unprocessed or minimally processed) you eat, the better.

Have different snacks during the week to keep it interesting and to increase the different types of nutrients you are getting. Note: Eating organic is best, but do what your budget and preferences allow.

1. Almonds, walnuts or cashews (a small handful is a serving)

2. Sunflower seeds and raisins

3. Celery and peanut butter (almond butter or sun butter) 1-2 tbsp

4. Popcorn (air popped or stove top is best)- I have a recipe at the end ☺

5. Bananna and peanut butter sandwhiches

6. Organic Tortilla Chips and salsa or guacamole – Veggies and salsa are better

7. Veggie sticks (celery, carrots, cucumber) with hummus

8. Kale chips (make your own) or pre made from Brads raw crunchy kale are really good too.

9. Zucchini oven chips (make your own)

10. Sweet potato chips or fries (make your own)

11. Apple slices with cinnamon, nut butter or sun butter

12. Pumpkin seeds

13. Greek yogurt with granola (read labels – avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors & sweeteners)

14. Green smoothie

15. Fresh fruit or fruit salad

16. Make your own trail mix with raw nuts seeds and dried fruit

17. Cheese stick

18. Dinner leftovers

19. Protein bars (make your own, Quest or think thins)

20. Beef Jerky

Do you like popcorn? So do I, but please do not buy the microwave kind. Those bags are lined with PFOA and when heated those chemicals are released into your popcorn. I know gross right? But you can still have it a couple different ways. You can use an air pop popcorn maker just add your Organic kernels, use the old school way on the stove top with coconut oil and your kernels, or you can buy some non flammable, flat bottom brown paper bags (lunch bags), add 1/2 cup of kernels, fold the top of the bag twice so that it seals, microwave for about 2 min. Or when the popping slows down. Add your favorite toppings. We like cinnamon and honey, melted dark chocolate and peanut butter, coconut oil and a scoop of protein powder; sometimes we just have coconut butter and sea salt. Play around and let me know what your family’s favorite’s are.

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