I think were all nutritionally savvy these days to know when a snack isn't nutritious or good for you. (hello, super size Snickers bar!), I know like me, ya'll want to make the right choice.
It can be daunting at times to pick and choose the right things to snack on, that's not full of calories, fat and sugar. Here is a few great healthy snacks to help you keep your body and mind in shape.
1. Hmmmmm I'm craving Something...Salty10 medium black olives or 1.3-oz bag Glenny's Salt & Pepper Soy Crisps Sweet
1 small wholegrain wrap (like Ezekiel 4:9) with 1 Tbsp Nutella spread and 1/2 cup sliced strawberries or a homemade smoothie made with 6 oz skim milk, 1/2 cup frozen mango and 1/2 banana
Savory1 cup red and yellow bell pepper strips with 1 Tbsp pesto dip or 1/2 cup low-fat onion dip or 1 slice wholewheat toast with 1/4 avocado, drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil and lemon juice
2. WOW Im so tired I need a "Energy Boost"Salty10 honeywheat pretzels (like Rold Gold) dipped in 2 tsp peanut butter or
1 cup cherry tomatoes sprinkled with 1 oz feta cheese
6 oz lowfat vanilla yogurt with 2 Tbsp raisin-nut granola (such as Bear Naked) or
3 whole-grain crackers (like Wasa) with 1 Tbsp reduced-fat cream cheese and 2 tsp fruit preserves Savory
1/2 turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread with honey-Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato or 4 melba toast rounds with 1 Tbsp light cream cheese and 1 oz smoked salmon
3. What I'm I really craving? When in Doubt...Salty4 cups 94% fat-free popcorn (such as Pop Secret or Newman's Own) or
20 spicy salted pecans Sweet
2 wholewheat fig bars (such as Whole Grain Fig Newtons) or 1/2 cup chocolate sorbet with 1/2 cup fresh berries Savory
1 Laughing Cow cheese wedge with 1/2 cup grapes or 4" pita with 1 oz shredded mozzarella, 3 Tbsp tomato sauce and 3 basil leaves (MY FAV)
Avoid These Snacking Pitfalls1. Eating all the Carbs in the pantryA handful of pretzels or low-cal crackers may seem healthy, but if you don't combine it with a little protein and fat (e.g., a small slice of cheese or a dab of peanut butter), you'll be starving soon after. Try this with fruit or vegetables, too: an apple with peanut butter, baby carrots with a little yogurt dip, or an old time favorite of mine, peanut butter and celery with raisins on top
2. Mindless Munching while Facebooking, Twittering or a past time Fav TVIf you're eating while doing any of these hip things, you're definitely not paying attention to what's going in your mouth and are more likely to eat too much, so Stay Alert...dont fall into mindless munching. (even though its so much fun)
3. Not Planning Ahead you silly girl!It never hurts to have an emergency granola bar in your pretty purse or your over flowing work drawer! If you do, you'll be less apt to pick up something not so healthy or head to that wonderful thing called the vending machine.
Keep to these lil tricks and you'll be set to go....and your health will be heading in the right direction.
Love and Good Eats to all,Jennifer
