At the Get Well Challenge goal setting session, one of our trainers, Julie, talked to us about the importance of eating balanced snacks, to help keep our blood sugar levels stable. Instead of eating an apple and some grapes, she recommended we try combining a fruit with a protein. I’d honestly never really thought about that. I’ve started having an apple with a piece of string cheese in the afternoon, and the combination of sugar and protein really does keep me energized, and I’m usually able to go for a run after work, without feeling tired.
I started trying a few other combinations of snacks that pack a little protein but are still relatively low in calories, so I thought I’d share some of these ideas!
Healthy Snack Ideas
From top to bottom:
- Apple + greek yogurt (fruit + protein!)
- Carrots + almonds (lots of crunch, for less calories than lots almonds!)
- Tomatos + hummus (this super hummus is made with edamame for more protein)
- Kashi crackers + laughing cow cheese (tastes indulgent, but is still low in calories and fat)
- Hazelnut butter + banana (real hazelnut butter, move over Nutella)
- Grapefruit + snack bar (I love the kids kind, smaller but still satisfying)
I’m also trying to snack more in the afternoon, when I’m actually hungry, than at night, when I’m just bored. I’m a big night time snacker. Does anyone have tips for curbing snack cravings in the evening?
I’m snacking a little extra today since I’ve got a 10 mile run on the agenda! I’ve never pushed into double digits so wish me luck!
Great ideas, Liz! I used to eat fruit alone as a snack and wondered why I’d be hungry like an hour later! Combining with some kinda protein/fat makes a world of difference! My favorite snacks of late include pomengranate with yogurt, yogurt & protein powder, raisins & almonds or Nak’d bars (the UK equivalent of Larabars)!
ah, nighttime snacking. i always crave something sweet after dinner so i do my best to keep it 100-200 calories and somewhat healthy. greek yogurt and honey or a small bowl of granola are some of my favorites! allowing myself to have these treats, but keeping them in check and well thought out, is really important. otherwise i’ll go for days without satisfying myself and eat a whole tray of brownies. not okay.
Veggies LOOK so good. Why can’t they taste good too??
I am always looking for filling snack ideas! One of my favorite is cottage cheese with pineapple chunks – delicious and super satisfying!
Thanks girl! I’m always looking for snack ideas. I like broccoli florets and hummus, berries and yogurt, or just a quickie bar if I’m in a hurry (Quest bars are my current obsession).
Happy Friday!
AH DOUBLE DIGITS! You’re going to feel so accomplished afterwards!
I’m the same way with the night cravings…I still haven’t discovered the perfect solution (aside from forcing myself to go to bed eary). I’m excited to read other people’s suggestions!
It definitely feels good to have that run out of the way now!
Love these! I’d forgotten about Kashi crackers AND laughing cow cheese. That just sounds so good to me. Will have to work it back into the snack rotation!
I’m so bad about properly combining protein with things (even though I know I need to). I think this calls for some more cheese + cracker snack breaks!
Two of my faves are chocolate and cheese. I knew that I couldn’t cut them out of my diet completely. So I bought those mini Babybel rounds and a bag of Dove dark chocolates. I allow myself one of each every day!
Yumm! That would be a great evening snack
Great ideas! I have yet to try laughing cow cheese…
Can’t go wrong with hummus and veggies!:) great ideas
These are all awesome suggestions Liz! My fave is apple and cheese too
I agree it is good get some protein in our snacks, it really makes a difference!
I’m obsessed with that Justin’s hazelnut butter. I mixed it with an egg, some oats, and a little sugar and have the best breakfast cookies that are each only 110 calories with no butter, and with protein and healthy fat!
Oh my gosh I’m going to have to try that!!
Bananas and almond butter are definitely my favorite snack… but anything you can dip into hummus comes in a close second.
Apples and PB are always my favorite
LOVE them
I’m a huge fan of kale chips and hummus. It’s almost painful how much I love it.
I love carrots and almonds!
or carrots and hummus!
Great snack ideas–you’ve listed some of my favorites, and some new ideas. I didn’t know they made kid-sized bars–what a great idea.
Good luck with your run
I love love love snacks. I snack all the time. Energy bites, fruits, crackers, quinoa, nuts, PB off a spoon! Nothing is off limits..well except the obvious.
Yum, great ideas! I love carrots+hummus, yogurt+fruit, tomatoes+mozzarella, banana+pb, apples+pb, and fruit+cheese! There’s probably lots more but those are ones I can think of right now!
Ohhh tomatoes and mozzarella. YUM!
What a great post! Is Hazlenut butter good? Like is there chocolate in there?
Indeed!! It’s better than nutella!!
Good luck with your run — I know you’ll do fabulous!
These are some great ideas! Some of my favorite 200 calorie snacks are banana “ice cream” with protein power, microwave bakes, sweet potato and almond butter and frozen banana topped with nut butter.
And I just nominated you for the Sunshine Award on my blog. I hope that you haven’t done it before… Love’d to hear your answers, especially for #1. It’s a toughie
Banana “ice cream” is a favorite of mine too!! And that’s for the nomination! I’ll go check it out
What an awesome list! Love all the snacks you mentioned
Have an amazing weekend girl.
Loving the snack ideas! Great ones you have here! I love veggies and hummus for a snack! <3
Good luck with 10 miles! Thanks for the snack ideas
I find if I brush my teeth shortly after dinner, the snack cravings disappear.
I love these snack ideas! My favorite is probably greek yogurt and some fruit! Or almond butter and a banana.. I dunno those are hard choices
Good luck on the 10 miler!
I head somewhere that drinking hot tea at night helps curb snacking. I’m not a huge nighttime snacker so I don’t know if it really works….Apple and Chobani is one of my favorite all time snacks!!
It makes sense to include the protein in your snack, but I forget to do it. Gotta get organized that way! In the evening, if I have a cup of tea, it tends to curb my snacking. Something I learned from Weight Watchers…something warm fills me up better than something cold. Hope your run was fabulous, Liz!
Homemade snack bars and qinoa cookies!
http://luvwhatyoudo.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/crazy-for-quinoa/
Girl, I have the SAME problem. I don’t snack during the day, when my stomach is actually rumbling…but I LOVE to eat, eat ,eat at night. I guess it is good that I’ve started running/exercising more in the afternoon and early evening because I can convince myself I’m just burning it all (or restoring what I burned).
I’m a night time craving person too…Truthfully I drink a lot of water and I will often workout inn the evenings…Once I’ve worked out I can honestly say I don’t want that chocolate anymore
I try to drink hot tea at night to curb snacking…sometimes chewing gum helps,too.
My favorite homemade nut butteris cinnamon hazelnut.
Now I’m hungry and need a snack!
I just love the light Laughing Cow cheese!
Jayme
Don’t forget popcorn! Especially if you make your own (and can limit or omit oil), you can eat a GIANT bowlful of good food for very few calories. Greek yogurt is definitely a favorite of mine as well. And I notice I want to snack more in the evening because I suddenly have downtime/some relaxation–so it’s more of a free time thing! Maybe schedule out your evenings a little so that snacks have their place, but it fits in with doing other things other than just snacking?
Good luck with the 10 mile run. These snacks look great, and I like the idea of adding a little protein. My trick for curbing night time snacking is either don’t keep them in the house or only take out the amount I want to eat.
Ahh I am SUCH A BIG nighttime snacker…it’s like anytime past 7 and my mind thinks those calories don’t count. I like those snack ideas though, a much better option than what I would usually nosh on!