10 Satisfying Snacks to Keep You Strong
It’s finally spring, and longer days often mean more activity in our already-busy schedules. Eating on the go can easily lead to less-than-excellent choices, so this month, I am bringing you a solid list of delicious and simple snacks that will keep you calm, satisfied, and nourished at a deep level. These tasty treats not only satisfy the craving, they provide the real nutrition a human body needs in order to be able to fight illness. Add these in to your springtime routine, and come summer, you'll have a toolbox filled with clean and yummy snacks.
10 Satisfying Snacks to Keep You Strong and Get You Through the Day (in no particular order)
1. Jen's Super-delicious Superfood Snacks
I have literally been stopped in public on more than one occasion by someone who had to tell me that they made these bars and that they were amazing. It's worth taking the time to make a batch, so you'll have a snack in the freezer available for when you need it right away. Savor with a cup of tea midday.
I may be biased, but this really is the best guac! Enjoy with raw veggies like carrots, radish slices, and celery, or with roasted potato rounds (see my loaded nachos recipe...)
If you've never had roasted chickpeas, then you've been missing out. Chickpeas are high in protein and have great benefits for the gut because they help feed important colonies of gut flora. This helps your good bacteria to keep the harmful types of bacteria at bay. They also have the added benefit that they are what have been called "slow carbs" because of how they break down in your body. This process helps them to keep you full for longer, so they're ideal for staving off hunger. Just rinse and hand dry some chickpeas. Toss them with virgin olive oil and Celtic sea salt. Sauté on med-low heat until golden brown. Allow to cool and snack away!
Cookies for breakfast? Sure! Unlike most cookies, though, these babies will keep your blood sugar stable, and your belly satisfied. Truthfully, they are great any time of the day!
You would never think this would be as satisfying as it is, but something about the warming comfort of the cinnamon and the sweetness of the citrus literally puts me in a better mood. This is also a great breakfast to start the day on a whole-food note.
6. Dried Mango
(or apricots, or raisins, or figs, or goji berries, or dates...) Dried fruit is a great winter/cold weather method of maintaining fruit intake. Fruits are vital for strengthening the immune system. Enjoy them on their own, or combine (as in your own personal trail mix). Be sure to select dried fruit with only ONE ingredient: the fruit!
7. Açaí Bowls
These are so much easier to make than I thought they would be. If you have kids, get them involved by having them pick out their toppings, which they can use to make designs on their bowl. (Trader Joe's has a great frozen açaí).
An oldie but a goodie, I have been making this treat for years. Many of you have tried the recipe in the past - maybe it's time to bring it back into circulation? When the weather gets warmer, we can s tart freezing it into pop molds for refreshing and yummy pudding pops.
9. Wild Frozen Blueberries
To be clear, I do not suggest eating these frozen, but you will most likely have to buy them frozen. They defrost very quickly, though, and they are a sweet superfood treat any day. Unlike cultivated berries, wild blueberries have to fight to stay alive without any help from farmers. They are strong and they persevere through the toughest of times. Enjoy them plain or topped with some unsweetened shredded coconut, and rest assured that you are building your physical body as well as mental fortitude.
10. Overnight Oats
We tend to think of oats for breakfast, but people use oats in their food for all kinds of meals around the world. Overnight Oats are easy and great for your heart, blood sugar, and cravings control. They're also really high in fiber, which many people don't get enough of. Check out these easy recipes and get started with your favorite ingredients.