This is a guest blog by Kaylie Chrismon
Why Eat Healthy Snacks?
Here’s why! When you eat healthy snacks, it’s like pumping your body full of the kind of fuel it needs to run efficiently and run without breakdowns. Snacks are a great way to keep your energy high and to feel rejuvenated all day long. If you are considering snack options, it’s important to eat something tasty and filling and, if you’re like me, crunchy is a huge bonus, too. Balance is the key to a good snack and by that I mean to get a mixture of good nutrition from all the groups such as fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy and grains.
10 Ways to Eat Healthy Snacks!
Here are 10 ways to eat healthy snacks. I know how hard it can be to come up with creative ideas day-after-day and so I hope this list is helpful. Mix it up as you eat healthy snacks!
A Starter List to Eat Healthy Snacks!
1. Celery + peanut butter
2. Light popcorn + cheese stick
3. Cottage cheese + whole wheat crackers
4. Banana + peanut butter
5. Low-fat Greek yogurt + fruit
6. Apple slices + cinnamon
7. Pineapple chunks + cottage cheese
8. Cucumber slices + hummus
9. Hard-boiled egg + carrot sticks
10. Almonds + Clementine orange
And, here are 2 Bonus Snack Recipes that will come in handy:
Homemade Banana Popsicle Recipe
Protein is Important When You Eat Healthy Snacks!
What do all of these snacks have in common? Protein! Protein is what keeps you full so you don’t overeat between meals. Try pairing a protein food with a non-protein food or pair different textures to keep it interesting! A fun texture example would be cucumber slices, which are crunchy, and then hummus, which is smooth!
A Healthier 2014 When You Eat Healthy Snacks!
When you’re hungry, 1-2 snacks a day can keep you on track to a healthier 2014! Just remember to keep your snacks around 100-200 calories so you don’t ruin your next meal. Making pre-portioned bags of 100-calorie snacks is a great way to keep you from overeating! This is also a fantastic way to have a snack available when on the go — just grab a bag when in a rush!
Do you have an ‘Eat Healthy Snacks’ plan?
About this week’s Guest Blogger. Kaylie Chrismon is a Nutrition Grad Student with the goal of becoming a registered dietitian. She is currently enjoying her second semester at UNC-Greensboro in North Carolina. Kaylie writes her own blog here.