The dietitians here at Second Nature put together some of their favorite ideas for healthy snacks, along with recipes, to provide some inspiration. To prevent ourselves from resorting to reaching for a handful of chips or a cookie, I decided to compile a list of easy, healthy snack ideas the kids and I can easily whip up, so that whenever a hunger strike strikes, we will have something nutritious to munch on. You can scroll down a bit more in this post to see the full list of ideas of foods to have on hand for making these types of meals. This is a great time to experiment with healthier snack options, since most of us will have more time on our hands and will be able to enjoy our snacks at home instead of worrying about packing them for work or school.
Breaking the habit of taking time out of your day around 3 pm to assemble a healthy snack for yourself is going to take a little getting used to, but these six appealing snacks are going to help get me there. Try out this energy-packed snack that tastes more like a decadent meal. As implied by this snack's name, these bite-sized wonders are packed with energy to lift you from your afternoon slump. This seemingly decadent treat might seem like a junky, kid-friendly snack, but do not let appearances fool you: Justin's snack packs are low-glycemic and packed with protein, making them a healthier way to get you through the day.
I am infamous for snacking all day, often leading me to be stuffed by my first bite of dinner. Some days, I will get a bad idea about how many calories I will need to consume during lunch in order to keep myself going through dinner and end up having to grab a snack to tide me over. This simple to make recipe makes tasty, nutrient-dense bars that give you sustained energy all day. You will notice there is not any real oatmeal in IQ bars.
Not only does this easy snack make for a quick meal that takes under 5 minutes to prepare, but the yummy flavors have also you converted to these frosted yogurt and berry bites in no time. This easy snack takes only 2 minutes to make, and then only requires the microwave to get that yummy warm, sticky texture. It takes only 5 minutes to make, meaning that you will be serving up a tasty, healthy snack in no time, especially if you throw a few extra ingredients into the mix (like some kind of lettuce or hummus dip). This snack is quick to prepare and requires less oil, and less cooking and prep time, compared with beans on toast.
A tasty twist of the corn tortilla, topped with apples, raisins, carrots, cream cheese, and cinnamon, this is a one-of-a-kind snack. This refreshing one has a bit of everything: fruits for fiber and vitamins, goat cheese for protein, and whole-wheat cookies for complex carbohydrates. Of course, you could simply munch on some plain fruit, but this peanut butter yogurt dip really takes things up a notch.
When apples are ripe and ready for picking, it is time to have a fall-themed meal, such as this easy appetizer. Top these with a spread of pure horseradish (which is packed with vitamins and minerals) and set aside some dates (a rich source of fiber and minerals) for some natural sugars and carbohydrates. If you can take 10 minutes or so to make these in advance in the morning, you will have a few days worth of snacks. Just be sure you keep those servings small, so you are not throwing hundreds of extra calories at your snack.
It may take a little planning and prep to keep your snacking healthy, but that is what Meal Prep Mondays are for (or whatever day you are eating your meals). Whether you like them simple like an after-school snack, at bedtime, or just because, I hope these will also help to simplify your life just a bit.
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