imageOne of the biggest complaints for many is the afternoon slump for sweet n salty cravings. The crunchy bar or bag of crisps may seem like the perfect idea, but is high in calories and low in nutrients only to actually leave you feeling worse and more hungry about an hour later. What you eat between meals is as imporant as your main meals througout the day. There are a variety of snacks to munch on that are crunchy, sweet, and full of flavour that keep you energized and give you a good dose of nutrients in a few bites.  Thanks to education at http://www.integrativenutrition.com, I got some great tips for snack times.

These sexy snacks will satisfy your cravings that are healthy, balanced and varied, from sweet, salty, creamy or crunchy, so many ideas to choose from.

Creamy

• Smoothies
• Yogurt
• Avocados
• Rice or chia seed pudding
• Dips and spreads, like hummus and baba ghanoush
• Puréed soups
• Puddings made with silken tofu, pumpkin, avocado, or mashed banana
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Coconut milk

Salty

• Olives
• Pickles and pickled vegetables, such as carrot, daikon, beets, and lotus root
• Tabouli and hummus
• Oysters and sardines
• Kale or seaweed chips
• Steamed vegetables with tamari/shoyu or umeboshi vinegar
• Tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole – try whole grain chips such as “Garden of Eatin” or “Food Should Taste Good” brands and freshly made salsa or guacamole
• Sauerkraut – it will also knock your sweet craving right out!
• Fresh lime or lemon juice as seasonings or in beverages
• Salted edamame
• Small amount of organic cheese

Sweet

  • • Wheatgrass shot
    • Fresh, whole fruit
    • Organic yogurt with fruit or granola
    • Apples and peanut or almond butter
    • Sprouted date bread with jam
    • Frozen yogurt – freeze yogurt and make your own!
    • Dried fruit (avoid products with added sugar)
    • Use leftover glutenfree grains to make a sweet porridge – drizzle maple syrup, sprinkle cinnamon, add nut milk and bananas, heat with fruit juice, etc.
  • Smoothies – mix whatever you have in the kitchen such as fresh or frozen fruit, ice, coconut water or nut milk, yogurt or avocado, kale or spinach, carob powder or raw cacao, nut butter, seeds, etc.
  • Fruit “ice cream”– peel a banana, freeze, blend in a food processor with nuts, berries, or raisins (it can be put through the screen of a juicer for a creamier consistency)
  • Freshly squeezed fruit juices – make your own and try different combos
  • Sweet vegetables – yams, sweet potatoes, squashes (acorn, butternut, kabocha) – cut into chunks or fries, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake
  • Dates stuffed with almond butter or other nut butter Organic dark chocolate chips or carob chips

Crunchy

• Frozen grapes
• Whole grain Rice cakes
• Plain popcorn
• One or two hard gluten free pretzels
• Crunchy crudités of veggies and dip (hummus, guacamole, vinaigrette, or favorite dressing)
• Celery or carrots with peanut or almond butter (use natural)
• Hummus with whole grain toast or rice crackers
• A handful of nuts
The key to smart snacking is proper planning and meal prepping the night before, so you can grab and go anytime/ anywhere.

Ashley xoxo