Healthy Snack Ideas
The question I'm asked most often in my challenges group is, "What are some healthy snack options?"
When you're trying to adjust your lifestyle and make healthier choices it can be tough to find easy, convenient snack ideas that aren't processed pantry foods...at least at first. Most people find one, like veggies and hummus, and eat it until they can't look at it anymore. When it's time to add in a little variety here are some ideas to help get you out of your snack rut.
Berries & Yogurt - Unsweetened coconut milk yogurt is my go to, topped with berries and a sprinkle of cinnamon. When I need a little more satiety I like to add chopped walnuts. (1 red, 1 purple, 1 blue if you add walnuts)
Kale Chips - These are really easy to make at home and much less expensive than the store bought options, but if you need quick and convenient Rhythm Superfoods is our go to brand. To make them at home....separate the leafy part of the kale from the stems. Wash and dry completely. Drizzle with olive oil, pink himalayan sea salt and black pepper and back on a cookie sheet at your oven's lowest temperature until crispy and the edges brown. Make sure to flip them about 1/2 way through and go super easy on the oil. You don't want them to be soggy. To get a nacho flavor try sprinkling them with homemade taco seasoning and nutritional yeast. If you have a dehydrator that works even better than the oven. (1 green)
Frozen grapes - These are a must have, especially in the summer. (1 purple)
Banana & Nut Butter - A small banana with a little nutzo nut butter is quick, easy, travels well and keeps me full for a long time. (1 purple, 1 tsp)
Celery & Buffalo Dip - I love crisp, cold celery dipped in a little Tessamae's Buffalo dressing. Cucumbers, Jicima and Bell Peppers work too. The spice is a nice change up from the hummus I normally dip my veggies in. (1 green, 1 orange)
Hard Boiled Eggs - Quick, easy and convenient. (1 red)
Apples & Nut Butter - I like to cut up thin apple slices on a mandolin, drizzle with a little melted nut butter and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. The kids love this one too! (1 purple, 1 tsp)
Pistachios & Cranberries - 20 raw pistachios with a sprinkling of unsweetened dried cranberries & a little unsweetened shredded coconut. (1 blue, 1 orange, 1/2 purple)
Stovetop Popcorn - We buy organic popcorn kernels and pop them in a little coconut oil on the stove top. I like to make mine savory so I'll drizzle it with Bragg's liquid aminos, cayenne pepper, cumin, sea salt and black pepper. I also love it popped in a little cultured butter with fresh rosemary. Yum! (1 yellow)
Baked Zucchini Chips - Slice 1 zucchini on a mandolin. Drizzle (go very lightly on the oil and salt) with just a little olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Bake on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 250 degrees for about 30 min, flip and bake for another 30-45 minutes or until crispy. (1 green)
Chocolate Strawberry Energy Bites - These are a great pre-workout snack. Check out the recipe here.
Edamame - I boil a bag of this during my weekly meal prep and keep it in the fridge. It travels well and makes a great snack with a little sea salt. (1 yellow)
Buffalo Cauliflower - Chop, rinse and dry your cauliflower. Place it in a glass baking dish and drizzle with Tessamae's Buffalo Dressing. Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes. It's great hot or cold.
Avocado, Tomato & Balsamic - 1/4 avocado diced, plus 1/2 a small tomato diced drizzled with balsamic and sprinkled with pink himalayan sea salt, black pepper and fresh basil. (1 blue, 1/2 green)
Bacon wrapped asparagus - 3 stalks of asparagus cut so you have mainly the top part of the stalk wrapped in 1 piece of turkey bacon. Make a bunch of these. Line them up on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. Keep them in the fridge for a quick snack or side dish. They're good cold or reheated. (4 of these equals 1 red and 1 green)
Brown Rice Cakes - 1 brown rice cake topped with 1/4 avocado mashed, 1 slice tomato and pink himalayan sea salt + black pepper. Or for something to satisfy your sweet tooth top 1 brown rice cake with a little nut butter, raspberries and cinnamon. (1 yellow, 1 blue, 1/2 green or 1 yellow, 1 tsp, 1/2 red)
Ezekiel Toast - 1 piece ezekiel bread toasted and topped with a little nut butter, fresh berries mashed & a few slices of banana. (1 yellow, 1 purple, 1 tsp)
Greek Watermelon - 1 purple of watermelon topped with a little crumbled feta or goat cheese and some fresh mint. (1 purple, 1 blue)
Turkey Roll-Ups - We keep Applegate lunch meat on hand for these easy roll-ups. It's gluten-free (most lunch meat is not) and it's also organic, no nitrates or nitrites and low sodium. Stuff one slice of turkey with sliced bell peppers and cucumbers and add some fresh herbs. (2 for a snack, 4 for lunch) (4 roll-ups = 1 red and 1 green)