I Got Snacks

I have to give props to the mom's out there. You always have snacks. Kids love snacks. Why is it then that when we get older we phase them out? In High School there's no snack time, when in fact, it would probably help everyone concentrate a little better throughout the day - more on that later. I forgot about snacks too for quite a while. Well, I didn't forget about them, I just told myself wait till lunch or dinner. That never worked in the long run because my body was so hungry by the time I got to lunch or dinner that I ate waaaaaaay too much. So, in my never-ending quest to be a bit more healthy, I've come to re-embrace the idea of snacking this past year.

My body seems to do best when I eat a lot of smaller meals throughout the day. For me that means breakfast, lunch and dinner with two snacks in between. This doesn't happen every day, but that's what I shoot for. I thought for today's post I would share a few of my favorites. Just like my January post, Eating Clean with a Dirty Mind, none of this is rocket science and I'm sure you've heard it all before, but maybe today is the day that these suggestions will help a bit.

Like I said, small meals work best for me because they keep my blood sugar stabilized throughout the day. As a result, I have more energy, accomplish more during the work day and just feel better overall. I try and keep a variety of snacks with me at all times so I'm armed and ready for emergencies. Ensuring there are both salty and sweet options is also key for me because what I'm craving can vary. Anyhoo.....here are some of my favorites.

Greek Yogurt

I love Greek yogurt because it's thick and creamy. It's also extremely versatile if you buy the plain kind. For a yogurt snack I might add berries, granola or perhaps a little raw honey. If I'm in a salty mood, I'll throw in a little curry powder and some cashews. Yum!

Energy Bars

I have a love/hate relationship with these things. In theory they're great, but nine times out of ten they're filled with a ton of sugar. You might get an energy boost but then you'll crash. I have found a couple that I absolutely love that fall into the less traditional category. Epic Bars are literally meat, just meat. They're awesome.  My favorite is the Chicken Sriracha above, but they also have bison and beef varieties.  Rx Bar is also great. I eat these a lot pre or post workout. Think of them as healthier versions of jerky.

Almond Butter

If Justin's ever goes out of business, I'm in a world of hurt. I literally eat this stuff every day. I eat it on celery, apples, toast, in yogurt - you name it. The honey flavor is my go-to. I've even been known to have a spoon full late night in the case of a dire emergency. Almonds are easier for your body to digest than regular peanuts and this brand also has very little added sugar.

Hummus

So good. So good. I tend to reach for hummus when I'm craving something savory and spicy. I'll load it up with jalapenos and any hot sauce/red pepper concoction I can find. Ensuring that there's tons of flavor in whatever you're eating helps satisfy your cravings.