Let’s talk about snackity snacks for a second…everyone loves ‘em! And if you don’t love snacks you’re weird. Just kidding…kinda! In all seriousness, I know there are 2 camps when it comes to eating: i.e. 3 squares meals versus 3 meal with a couple of snacks thrown in. After plenty self-experimentation, I find that the latter approach suits me better. Aside from keeping my sugar levels stable & cravings at bay, eating every few hours ensures I don’t overeat doing mealtimes. Along with that, snacking is an easy way for me to ensure I eat enough calories over the course of the day. Of course eating 3 square meals has its merits and if leaving large gaps in between meals works for you, more power to you!
Especially with so many packaged snack options available in the supermarket aisles these days, it’s easy to opt for nutritionally-void snacks. I would love to alternate my snacks between Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Oreos & Flamin’ Hot Cheetos but I don’t think my body would love it as much. As a result, I try to approach snacking the same way I do with meals i.e. base them around real food and keep my snacks somewhat balanced. Most days it happens, sometimes it doesn’t…fortunately there’s always another opportunity in the day to cover my nutritional bases. I’m always down for new healthy snack ideas, and pretty sure my fellow snack-lovers are too. Here are a few of my go-to healthy snacks of late:
- I’m still hooked on Robyn’s Marbled Banana Bread recipe. We’ve been making it at home at least once a week…and by “we” I mean I’ve outsourced the execution part to the madre (thanks Mummy).
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls: Again these are something which I constantly stock in my freezer. They keep for ages and between the seeds & peanut butter (healthy fats & protein), dark chocolate (antixoxidants- duh) & oats (complex carbs), they are packed with so much goodness!
- Fruit & nuts/or nut butter: This never gets old…especially apple slices & almond butter!
- Homemade trail mixes: Just add your choice of dried fruit, nuts & seeds to a ziplock bag and BHAM…you’re good to go! They’re especially great for on-the-go snacking!
- Snack plates: Although it might be not be a conventional snack, who’s to say you can’t eat what you would do for lunch or dinner? Just eat a smaller portion.
- Raw veggie sticks & hummus…because any excuse to eat more hummus 😉
- Soy iced lattes: I normally prefer my coffee black, but these are great for when I’m feeling particularly hungry or need a little something extra.
What are your go-to healthy snacks?
I really need to try fruit with almond butter.
I like nuts and trail mixes for my quick snacks.
You must- it’s the best combo 🙂
I love frozen cookie dough balls- lucky I made a tonne of variations so have some different options! As much as I love snacking, sometimes I wish I could stick to 3 squares meals for convenience at work.
I feel you- that’s one of the reasons why I’m glad I work from home..no meal prep!
Ooh yes to ALL the fruit smothered with nutbutters!!! And lately, all the veggies too – carrots and celery are ah-mazing smothered with P/B or A/B! I am like you – I love me some snacks – in facts – some days – I have 5 snack-meals and 1 real meal…yup, not ideal – but seems to work for me!
I am scared to try that banana marbled bread – I am trying to stop any more addictions before they start! 🙂
I just had carrot & cucumber sticks with PB- so freakin’ delish!
I feel that snacking always makes me more hungry, so I don’t really plan them in – having said that I always have something in my office drawer, just in case 🙂 I love me some date with almond butter or nuts, plain yogurt with avocado or some kind of homemade protein muffins are nice as well!
Speaking of plain yog & ago, try making guac with yog- it tastes great!
my snack is usually nuts or some sort of granola bar.
I have a yum recipe coming up on Thursday for a granola bar alternative!
I have three main meals and one snack in the afternoon. At the moment, I’m on a roll with 1 cup greek yoghurt, honey, GF granola, berries and a big spoonful of nut butter. Those PB oreos are amazing, though. I have a massive box (I think it has the equivalent of four regular packs inside) waiting for me after my comp!
Since it’ll be post competition, make sure you have a jar of PB to dip them in 😉
I seriously need to make some banana bread – I’ve been craving it lately. I’ve been super lazy with snacks and just going for protein bars – I need to start making some more at-home snack options!
Definitely try out Robyn’s banana bread- it tastes heavenly 🙂
Ah, funny you should ask as I’m snacking as I write this 🙂 I’m eating an apple and turkey slices. This is sorta like a snack/meal for me I guess, because I do this all day long every couple hours rather than real meals.
Ohh that sounds good- love the sweet & savoury combo!
I’m with you – I definitely need my snacks to get through the day! Healthier homemade baked goods, granola bars, crackers and cheese, and fruit and almond butter are my favourites!
Cheese & crackers are sounding so good right now 🙂
Okay, the snack monster in me is having a field day right now… and you’re making me wanna run to my pantry to grab some munchies 😛 I adore all the things you mentioned here, and I’d have to throw yogurt messes and cereal in the mix, since I’m kind of obsessed with those right now. Oh! And dried fruit — dates are basically the love of my life right now.
Even though I don’t eat much dairy anymore, I will always have a soft spot for just the mention of yogurt messes- YUM!
Veggies and hummus for sure. Lately, I’ve been grabbing an entire cucumber from the garden along with a tub of hummus and that’s been my snack, sometimes my lunch. I’ve also been hooked on banana chips lately, and fruit is always a solid snack for me. Cheese too. 🙂
Great ideas and you reminded me I need to try that marble banana bread.
Ooh banana chips are fab- they remind me of my life in Nigeria as they were so commonly available there 🙂
Do I spy Finn crisps on that snack plate?! My fave!!! Apples and nut butta fo lyfeeee.
Yes ma’am…Finn crisps are the best
Those are all great snack options! I especially love apples and bananas with peanut butter. Another strange but delish snack – sweet potato and peanut or almond butter. Sooo good!
Oooh not strange at all- love roasted sweet potato with nut butter & some cinnamon 🙂
I am a huge snacker. I eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day, so it’s really one giant snack I guess! My favorite is at night – my yogurt dessert bowls are like a piece of food art to me. LOL!
Hahah you do seem to create quite the masterpieces 😉
If only Oreo’s were a proper snack, HA! These all look great. Fruit and nuts are big for me, and some veggies and crackers too!
I still always have a soft spot for Oreos ;)!