My Go To Snacks & Snacking Recipes!
Today’s Blog comes from a question I get asked all the time in my DM’s! Snacking!
I know it’s easy to get caught up in our everyday lives. From work to kids and making sure we are keeping everything on track… our eating habits can begin to slide. It’s important to always keep healthy, protein filled snacks on hand to keep you full and satisfied throughout the day. This will prevent you from crashing and reaching for those sugary, quick fixes!
These can be quick pre made snacks from the grocery store or something you put together, but I wanted to make sure you had some ideas to help you throughout the week and to get you started!
Simple Tips for keeping healthy snacks on hand!
1) PLAN! Failure to plan is planning to fail. If you know there’s going to be a period during your day where you’re stretched for time or unable to stop at home or the store to pick something healthy, be sure to pack enough to satisfy you until your next meal! This takes all of the thinking out of it and lets you be able to enjoy the snacks you’ve packed.
2) Keep easy, on the go containers on hand! This can be as simple as having mason jars, small snack packs and plastic baggies on hand. These allow you to portion control and be able to not have ANY excuse for not packing snacks for the day/week! I recommend you use these so you don’t just grab the entire pack of something or bag or something and mindlessly snack! Intentional snacking is key to healthy balanced nutrition.
3) Carry a reusable water bottle (like our Grown Strong one here)! Thirst often disguises itself as hunger. If you find yourself wanting to continue to snack, it may be time to reach for some water instead!
Below are my top favorite healthy, protein packed snacks!
Cookie Dough Protein Bites
Ingredients:
2 Cups Oat Flour
⅓ Cup Protein Powder
⅓ Cup Nut Butter of choice (melted and cooled slightly)
4 TBSP honey
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
½ Cup Milk of Choice
Optional:
¼ Cup mini chocolate chips
How to Make:
Line a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside In a large bowl whisk together oat flour and protein powder. Stir in nut butter, honey, vanilla and milk. Mixture should be like a cookie dough consistency, comes together but shouldn’t be sticky! If it’s too dry add in milk 1tbsp at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. Add in chocolate chips if wanted Grab 1.5 – 2 tbsp of mixture and roll into a ball. Set down on parchment paper as you finish. You can store in a container for up to a week in the refrigerator or these are very freezer friendly for up to 3 months!
Nut Butter & Banana Rice Cakes
Ingredients:
Nut Butter of Choice
1 Banana
Rice Cakes of Choice
How to make:
This one is incredibly simple. Get your nut butter of choice and top on two rice cakes. Cut the banana into small slivers and place on top of the nut butter- a quick and easy snack!
Bento Box
Bento boxes are great because they can hold a wide variety of things! If you are on the go and looking for something to be able to take with you, these are perfect! I like to fill mine with anything from the list below. Simply place these into a small container and you’re good to go!:
Carrots
Sliced meat/chunks of meat
Sliced cheese
Fruit Slices
Nuts
Raw Broccoli
Cucumber
Almond Butter Banana Protein Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
½ cup oats
1 tsp chia seeds
1tbsp of almond butter or peanut butter
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ medium banana chopped into cubes
½ cup almond milk
1 scoop favorite protein powder (aprox 25 grams protein)
Add all ingredients into a mason jar, shake well. Place in the fridge overnight!
Sweet Potato Protein Waffle
Ingredients:
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes, chilled
1 scoop whey protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)
1 Cup flour of choice (almond, protein flour, etc)
1 Egg
½ cup egg whites
1tbsp vanilla extract
1tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
How to make:
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter or honey
Heat waffle iron on medium high heat and lightly spray with nonstick spray ( I use avocado spray)
Pour in ⅓ cup batter and cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with 100% maple syrup, honey or almond butter
This recipe yields about 6 small/medium waffles – I like to double the batch, keep in a zip lock in the fridge and throw in the toaster to reheat and crisp through the week!
Green Protein Smoothie
I’ve also been on a big smoothie kick lately! And when you combine some greens in there you know you’ve made this girl super happy! So here’s one of my favorites!
Ingredients:
Spinach
Banana
PW1 vanilla
CP1
Lemon
A piece of ginger
How to make:
Blend it all with your favorite milk of choice and enjoy!
As you can see all of these snacks have a healthy protein + a boost of healthy carbs like oats or veggies for a balanced snack that keeps you fuller longer! Do you have a favorite protein packed snack? Comment below and let’s share our ideas!