Since the weekend was full of chips and dip, I decided to start my week with a mission of healthy snacking.
How perfect that Jenn set a goal of healthy snacking. Convenient, no?
So here are my rules tricks tips for healthy snacking!
Be prepared for when hunger strikes! You never know where. I keep protein bars in my car, trail mix at my desk, and a piece of fruit in my purse. You can call me crazy, but you won’t call me hungry!Lucky for me, my house has been well stocked of healthy snacks. I’ve found the key to healthy eating is to be prepared.
Tip #1: Balance: Round out your meal or snack with fruits & veggies
Breakfast
I had the pleasure of attending a Leadership Breakfast led by Ken Blanchard, the author of “The One Minute Manager” (as well as a lot of other books) and brushed shoulders with some politicians and local celeb-usinessmen. Hence, the sneaky-awkward picture of the table. Trust me, I had my big camera with me, and I desperately wanted to photograph the delicious eggs and roasted potatoes we were served. But alas. That’s a bit frowned upon I assume.
I obviously skipped out on the sausage links, and I passed on the coffee cake, but I did say yes to the delicious fruit plate.
Tip #2: If your stomach starts growling, don’t ignore it!
Morning snack
Since my breakfast was a little unusual (read: less protein, more carbs) I was hungry by 10:30. I munched on an apple with a little PB2 to calm the stomach dragons.
Tip #3- If your leftovers are feeling a little… unfulfilling, add in some extras!
Lunch
Since tackling my grocery budget, I’ve been making a much stronger effort of packing leftovers. Monday night, Galen, AJ and I went to Su Casa, and I had a black bean salad. It was so delicious but also really filling, so I packed the leftovers for lunch. It was basically black beans, rice, & veggies, and then I topped it with salsa.
This is actually not the picture of what I heated up. It’s a recycled picture, because the real picture was pretty horrid. I also had some dug into my Wholesome Goodness trail mix which I’ve been keeping in my desk drawer. It’s disappearing quickly because it’s so freaking tasty. The squares of dark chocolate are heavenly. And I rounded things out with some mango tea.
Tip #4- Healthy choices start at home. Stock the fridge with options that you actually enjoy!
Dinner
I was going to go out for dinner with Eric but we wanted different things and I wanted something healthy, plus it’s cheaper to make dinner at home. So I had a super simple salad.
Dump greens in bowl. Add carrots, Gabby’s habinero salsa, and some Wholesome Goodness chips. Take photo.
I know, not the most exciting. But it honestly tasted amazing.
Tip #5- Make snacks that actually satisfy your craving!
Late night snack
After catching 21 Jump Street with my friend Stephanie at the Byrd, I wanted a little something… I decided to have a couple more of these little babies and then remembered I never gave you the recipe!
Well here you are:
Chocolate Oatmeal Bites
Vegan/Gluten Free
- 1 banana
- 1/3 cup oats (gluten free ‘em!)
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 packet stevia (or 1 tsp sugar)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Mash the banana in a bowl, then stir in oats, cocoa, apple sauce, stevia and cinnamon. Drop in rounded teaspoonfuls for little cookies. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes. It’s hard to tell when these are done, since they won’t turn brown. Be sure not to over bake them, or they’ll get rubbery!
These little babies are pretty healthy, so they were a good little late night snack! (And they only have ~50 calories per cookie!)
Great tips! And of course, awesome eats
Nothin beats the combo of apple and pb– so good!
I am such a snacker too! I bring so much food to work with me and sometimes I feel a bit silly, but if I get hungry it won’t be pretty (and I’ll end up having a huge, unhealthy supper). I’m definitely going to make those Chocolate Oatmeal Bites!
Those chocolate oatmeal bites are a great idea! What sort of texture do they end up being? I’m all for tip 5!
They remind me of no bake cookies, if you’ve ever had those! They’re chewy rather than crispy!
I love these tips, especially the last one! These oatmeal bites look really good, I am going to bookmark this recipe
great tips! i completely agree about making snacks that actually satisfy the craving you are having. if you don’t you will keep eating until it is satisfied! might as well take care of that first thing!
wow
great tips girl!! and loooove those simple but delicious cookies. I totally find that if my fridge is stocked with healthy goods, then I am good to go. Other wise I will start reaching into my hubbys cabinet, and that is a big no no! Its like a sugar cave lol
great tips! it is definitely good to not ignore your stomach if it is growling at you!
I’ve read some of Ken Blanchard’s books – that had to have been a fun convention! Beefing up leftovers is my favorite way to go – a few extra sauteed veggies can stretch it out into a fulfilling snack!
I’d never read his books, but he was a great speaker! Very entertaining
I’m saving that recipe for chocolate oatmeal cookies! I love a healthier twist on a cookie, so I don’t feel so guilty when I accidentally consume four in a sitting
Really, they’re healthy enough you could eat them for breakfast!
I love your tip about eating what you’re craving! I always stick with this rule of thumb other wise it’s just not satisfying!!!
I should totally make those bites — love anything with oats. Nom!
And agree that you should always be prepared so your hunger doesn’t force horrible snacking. I like to keep almonds or a protien bar in my purse.
great tips! we love snacking. we always have something hand especially at the bakery
uh, those chocolate oat bites look so amazing, need to try them! Your dinner looks delicious to, yum yum! (:
Great tips!! I’m a big fan of healthy and regular snacking! I notice a big difference when I don’t have my regular snacks. those oat bakes look great!
Awesome tips. I have concentrated on chosing healthier snacks this past week. I realized how much I have missed some of my favorite foods! I try to follow most of the tips you covered in your post, but I have to admit that I am horrible at making sure I have a stash of healthy snacks in various places for those hungry moments. New goal for me
Great tips! I love no-bake cookies and those chocolate oat cookies look like the perfect healthy replacement! I’m going to have to try that!
It’s true! they’re like… baked no-bakes! haha
I love all your snacking tips! Thanks for sharing the recipe, sounds delicious!
These are all so right! Back in my seriously unhealthy days, I’d go through phases of trying to be healthy, so I’d manage not to take any junk food to college, take nothing instead and end up buying the junk because I was starving – unhealthy and expensive! Now I’m more limited in what I can eat, I keep a stash of healthy stuff, just in case
I also go with my mum’s saying, “A little of what you fancy does you good” which I think sums it up!
Haha that’s a great saying! And it’s so true!
I have everything for those oatmeal bites right now! YUM! Might have to try em
I love all your tips….especially the one about stocking the fridge with things you enjoy! Way too often, my fridge is empty and it makes me way less healthy
If I don’t have any fruit or veggies on hand, I dive into the chips! Not good! haha
Love all these! I am such a big snacker. I am constantly eating. I especially like the one about not letting you hunger go unnoticed. Then it just gets worse!
I agree with all of your suggestions–smart snacking is the best way to go. If I’m in a snacky mood and feel myself wanting unhealthy foods, I’ll have a healthy snack first then a smaller portion of something like chocolate.
If I don’t satisfy my craving, I end up eating so much of a “substitute” that I should have just had what I wanted in the first place!
I most agree with your suggestions here Liz and great job on getting back on track, but maintaining a balance as well! So important and helpful for me to see
Mango black tea sounds gorgeous!
I’m definitely going to have to make those chocolate oatmeal bites. I have a surplus of oatmeal for some reason and I want to do things besides just making crazy oat bowls. I would looove a glass of that mango black tea too. Sounds so refreshing.
Totally agree with the not ignoring the hunger signs! The last thing I want is to end up STARVING .. because then I may eat everything in site.
Stocking up on healthy foods – especially fruits and veggies is crucial too! They are always healthy snacking options.
I also DO NOT ignore intense cravings. If I want chocolate.. I eat it. Otherwise, I will keep eating other things.. never being satisfied. Eventually I will eat the chocolate..so I might as well just eat it first!
Love all your advice! I absolutely love fresh fruit, so I make sure I stock up on TONS at the beginning of the week, because if it’s there and available in my house, I’ll choose it over less healthy options every time. If it’s not there? I’ll find SOMETHING to snack on, but it probably won’t be fresh and colorful ;D
What a delicious recipe! Thank you SO much for sharing them! <3
Great tips! I agree about honoring your hunger! If the tummy is rumbling then it’s important to feed it!
I live by all of these tips, especially the one about “unfulfilling” leftovers. If I’m not jazzed about my leftovers, I either add something to them or save them for another day.
One snacking “rule” I follow is to always have a mix of macronutrients in each snack. A piece of fruit by itself will do nothing to tide me over between meals, but pair it with nut butter or dairy and I’m good for a few hours.
Apples & peanut butter are such a classic, delicious combo… I’m so happy I’ve rediscovered that pairing, can’t get enough
I’ve never tried PB2 before, but I’m def gonna check it out!
I’m a big snacker as well! Your Oatmeal Bites look awesome and remind me of my healthy no bake cookies. Yum!
PS – Great seeing you tonight at Friday Cheers! I hope Sweet Frog was tasty.
Got to love peanut butter on snacks. I sometimes go for a carrot + PB, or heat up a chopped apple with cinnamon + PB. It’s winter over here so hot snacks are definitely a winner.
Just wanted to say, I LOVE your description of stomach dragons!!