Trend Alert: Smarter Snacking

14 Aug Trend Alert: Smarter Snacking

You know the story. You eat great all day only to be attacked by the 3pm snack monster that is urging you to hit up the vending machine for a chocolate bar or a bag of greasy chips. And just like that, your healthy day has gone down the drain.

Here are some of our go-to better for you snack options.

• Hummus with fresh veggies. Homemade or store bought, hummus is a great source of protein and it’s going to give you some fiber. Fresh veggies give you the crunch you’re looking for with chips without the extra salt and oil.
• 1-2 ounces of cheese. Avoid highly processed cheese (ahem…cheese in a cellophane wrapper, we’re talking to you!) and stick with cheddar, swiss, or mozzarella. Pair it with some fruit and you’ll get a great balance of protein, fat, and carbs.
• Fruit and nut bars. Stay away from protein bars that have lists of ingredients a mile long and look for bars where you can actually SEE all the ingredients. They’re calorically dense, but they’re full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Bonus, they’ll satisfy that sweet tooth too!
• Almond (or peanut) butter with fresh fruit. Almond butter is like peanut butter’s older sibling. It’s delicious, full of healthy fat, protein, and fiber.
• Homemade trailmix. While the good old standby full of peanuts and M&M’s can be delicious, it’s much more fun and nutritious to make your own. Load up on heart healthy almonds and walnuts, throw in some coconut flakes, dried fruits, hemp seeds, and even a couple pieces of chocolate. Be sure to portion it out into ¼ cup serving sizes so you don’t eat the whole mix in one sitting!
• Dark chocolate. Yes, chocolate! The darker the better and you’ll always want to look for the best quality possible. The better the quality, the less you’ll need to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, studies have shown chocolate can be good for your heart!

Keep some of these items in your desk or fridge at work to help fight off that tempting snack monster and you’ll be sure to stay on track for a healthier you! Remember that moderation is key, too much of anything is never a good thing.