As you may know by now, most of my posts are not overly serious. They tend to be easy going, somewhat humorous (I think) and practical. This post, however, may not be as funny! As you look around the world you see more and more unhealthy snack foods thrown in your face through grocery shelves, media, fast food drive thrus, billboards etc.
I wanted to take some time and go over some nutritious snacks as opposed to a quick candy bar or cookies. Now this is not rocket science but I think we need to really make an effort to take a stand and eat healthier. We are the only ones who are able to look after our bodies. As you get tired through the day, it is easy to grab a cup of coffee or some candy. The problem is, sugar snacks spike blood sugar only temporarily and caffeine provides a brief lift. Ideally it is better to choose foods with a sustained boost such as complex carbohydrates like whole grains and protein.
These days, we see more obesity in children and young adults which is probably due to the convenience factor. However today I will list some of my favorite snacks that are just as quick as grabbing a pack of cookies or a candy bar.
Some Quick Healthy Fuel Snacks
- Low Fat Cottage Cheese with Berries (Mrs. Zesty eats this all the time )
- Banana topped with Peanut Butter
- Slices of Turkey with Whole Wheat crackers.
- Yogurt mixed with Fruit and Nuts
- Hummus plus Veggies ( Carrots and Celery )
- Yogurt Smoothie with Berries and Bananas
This is just a short list of course. What I want from you is to add a comment and tell me your favorite “pick me up” snack. I want to hear them all.
Remember for a healthy pick me up, combine carbs and protein for the slow burning energy to get you through the day.
Have a great Wednesday!
Take care
zesty
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Whether it is about recipes, food techniques, food tips, or meal suggestions in a rush - this is your one stop food shop. When I was sitting at home - I always wanted to write a blog and help people in everyday life come up with innovative and different approaches to food. So here it is - released for all to see - I hope you enjoy!
Mine = sweet potato with guacamole.
One of my favorite (classic!) snack combos is apple with nut butter. Specifically a gala or fuji apple with raw almond butter and cinnamon over everything.
The best snack ever is Greek yogurt and granola.
I also love larabars, which I slowly nibble through
My go to snack foods:
- Protein shake and almonds (toasted to bring out the flavor)
- Greek yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts
- Low carb tortilla and almond butter
- Tuna packet and almonds (or cranberries)
- 2 hard boiled eggs and a slice of cheese
- Cottage cheese blended w/pumpkin,cinnamon,h2o, stevia
Thanks for asking! It helped me think through my grocery list!
Larabars, almond butter on an apple, carrot or celery, a hot nonfat latte, hummus and carrots
Oh I like yours!! The banana and pb is great. I usually go Greek yogurt and some chocolate mixed together, or a handful of my granola, or a cheese stick!! I also like random bars, especially MOJO nuts bars, yum.
Favourites:
- Greek yogurt with sprinkling of muesli
- 1/2 Lara bar mixed with cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- dried fruit + peanut butter
- wholewheat toast with mashed banana
- roasted chickpeas
I usually like to snack on homemade protein bars/cookies.
My favorite thing in the world = whole wheat tortilla covered with Greek yogurt, sprinkled with cinnamon and wheat bran and a sliced banana on top.
Amazingly delicious!
Vanilla yogurt with fresh blueberries is one of my favs. Just grabbing a banana is easy, fast and healthy.
I have noticed that when I have a lunch of peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread with milk (okay, it’s chocolate milk, because I hate plain) I get soooo sleepy afterward. Too much sugar? Too many carbs? What’s up with this?
Cheese and apples, or homemade trail mix chock full of things like apricots, raisins, soy nuts, almonds, walnuts, etc
great ideas!
the ones I’ve been having lately are:
yogurt with a granola bar/cereal/nuts/trail mix
veggies with hummus
dried fruit/nuts
Dates + Almond Butter
Trail Mix
Veggies + hummus
string cheese
laughing cow + apple
Almond butter + banana
My favorite snack is sliced cucumbers, pecans, and laughing cow cheese.
my favorite snack is walnut halves and unsweetened dates.
I like a smoothie with almond milk, banana or mango plus at least one more fruit!
I change up snacks all the time so I don’t get bored- nuts, Greek Yogurt with Granola, Tons of Fruit, Veggies with Salsa or Hummus, Green Monsters, Larabars, Kind Bars, String Cheese, a cup of soup.
My list could go on endlessly!
Yogurt with granola
Larabars
Cheese and veggie slices
i think my favorite afternoon pick me up is a container of greek yogurt, whole grain cereal and some fruit like canteloupe. It keeps me from getting too hungry for dinner
apples have been my latest easy to grab snacks!
hmmm..
- Rice cakes topped with nut butter (usually almond) and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Sometimes I mix in a little protein powder and honey when I need a bit more.
- Plain old fruit and veggies for simple nibbling – apples, oranges, bananas, carrots
- This smoothie – http://www.onefrugalfoodie.com/2009/08/16/true-blue-smoothie/
- Homemade granola bars or homemade protein bars
- In winter, leftover roasted veggies (so good straight from the fridge!)
Almost every morning I have to have a smoothie otherwise my tummy will not be happy at me for the rest of the day. I change around the fruit and yogurt to mix it up but it always has hemp protein powder and flax oil. It often also has, plain yogurt, orange juice, soy milk, frozen berries, bananas, spinach.
My go-to afternoon snack is almost always some plain Greek yogurt (0% fat) topped with berries, kamut puffs and a drizzle of honey. It’s got protein and good carbs combined, which keeps me going all afternoon!
I am a savory for breakfast kind of guy!
Yet another fabulous idea for a post! My go-to snacks include plain yogurt with nut butter and dried fruit (these days, I have been particularly into Sunbutter and dried cranberries). For a more portable option, I like to make a snack mix out of cereal (usually Kashi GoLean–high protein!) with nuts, dried fruit, and maybe a few pretzels or Goldfish.
Banana with PB.
Love your blog, btw.
I love prunes stuffed with peanut butter. Maybe it’s weird to like prunes but I think they’re the best dried fruit!
Green goodness drink: I blend a huge handful of spinach, some kind of milk (like organic vanilla soymilk), banana, plain yogurt/greek yogurt, and ice. Refreshing and delicious!
I love a good banana+peanut butter snack, and also the granola/fruit/yogurt combo. A handful of peanuts or almonds, some cheese and crackers, an apple with peanut butter or a hard boiled egg are also some of the snack items that pass my lips daily.
Greek yogurt w/fruit & flax
Ceral + fruit
Oatmeal w/ raisins
cottage cheese & fruit
Lara Bars or Pure Bars
I have to admit I love a cup of organic coffee minus the sugar & an apple- but I also love:
Banana & pineapple fruit salad w/raw coconut
Larabars or Pure Bars
Green Smoothie
I’m all about a piece of wheat toast topped with almond butter and half a sliced banana. Add a small glass of vanilla soy milk and it’s adult version of one of my favorite childhood snacks–PB&J with milk.
Hmmm, so many choices but I’d have to say 1 serving of unsalted pretzels with 2 tablespoons of hummus or dried figs with a schmear of goat cheese. Baby carrots with a serving of peanut butter is always good, too!
I like a few whole grain crackers and a laughing cow baby bel cheese. This is just enough fuel to get through my workout.
Here is a list of my energizing meals/snacks!
- Pureed Pumpkin with Cinnamon & Stevia
- Over Easy Eggs (I eat one with the pumpkin before I go to the gym for breakfast)
- Cherry Tomatoes & Bell Peppers
- Tomato Paste (Yes, I eat it out of the can with a spoon! he he)
- Nori Sheets & Yam/Kelp Noodles
- Applegate Grass-fed Beef Hot Dogs
- Cabbage & Sugar Free Ketchup
- Spinach & either tomato paste, olive oil or sugar-free ketchup
- Olives & Artichoke Hearts (or tapenade)
- Jarred Tuna in Olive Oil with eggs & green beans
a gigantic peach, nectarine, or apple, preferably the size of my head, with some almonds.
Apple slices with almond butter!
What a great question!
1. Plain Greek yogurt with a squeeze of honey, mixed with Kashi Go Lean Crunch and a fruit cup.
2. Apple or pear slices with almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter.
3. Oats with “banana soft serve” and vanilla yogurt swirled in!
I could go on and on…
Yogurt is my go-to snack. It’s perfect with granola, fruit, nuts, anything!
I like healthy portability with my snacks: string cheese, raisins, cut up veggies, hand-held fruits like apples and grapes.
- apple slices + pb, or apple + cheddar cheese
- cheese & crackers
- yogurt + granola + fruit
I like yogurt and chopped apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon. And a cup of milk with granola. But that’s more like dessert to me then snack
dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruit. I love it all.
I buy a big bag of roasted almonds. I will pour a handful of those for a snack, love it
I’m diabetic, so I have to be careful what I eat for a snack, and I, unlike many dieters, cannot graze throughout the day. I have to space my meals 4 hours apart, so a quick protein packed pick me up like almonds is perfect.
Almond Butter is my fuel! I can go through an entire 16oz jar in only 3 days! Yum yum!
Roasted Almonds.
Banana.
Lite Crackers.
Glass of Water.
Yogurt with Honey.
Crushed Strawberries in Yogurt.