What I [Snacked] Wednesday
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! I agree about honoring your hunger! If the tummy is rumbling then it’s important to feed it! 🙂
What a delicious recipe! Thank you SO much for sharing them! <3
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
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! 🙂
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.
Mango black tea sounds gorgeous!
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 🙂
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!
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 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