Living a healthy lifestyle not only means finding time to be physically active but also means watching what you put into your body. For bigger meals, meal prepping and planning can help to ensure your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs. But when it comes to snacking, staying away from sweet treats and prepackaged munchies can be a little harder. Of course, it doesn't hurt to reach for those indulgences every once in a while, but there are many healthy alternatives that are easy and fun to create!
The word snack isn't the first to come to mind when seeking to live a healthy lifestyle. Most people are under the impression that less is more when it comes to a healthy diet, but rather than the amount of food, think about the types of food you are consuming. According to Women's Health, a snack should be thought of as a mini meal meant to contain protein, carbs and healthy fats. These mini meals can help satisfy hunger between larger meals, which can prevent binging and overeating, as well as provide energy to help you throughout the day.
A healthy munchie can be as easy as a bag of salted nuts or some fruit or veggies. But if you want to go the extra mile, you can snack prep to maximize nutrition and minimize time spent making snacks during busy back-to-school days. Prepping treats at the beginning of a week can relieve stress and also provide an incentive to reach for the healthy snacks when you need a pick-me-up.
Greek yogurt is full of protein and healthy probiotics that can increase gut health. Add some fruit and granola to up the fiber levels and provide a yummy and satisfying snack. Creating a frozen yogurt bark that contains fruit and granola is delicious and easy and keeps well throughout the week. It's as easy as spreading a yogurt flavor of choice in a pan lined with parchment paper, adding some fruit, such as blueberries or strawberries, and sprinkling some granola on top to garnish. For some extra sweetness, try adding dark chocolate chips. Pop the pan in the freezer until bark is solid. Break apart by hand, put into individual packaging for the week and enjoy!
For something that doesn't require freezing, try peanut butter protein balls. These protein-packed snacks are no-bake and only require six simple ingredients. To get the most protein possible, start with a protein powder of your choice. In a large bowl, mix together 1 ½ c. of smooth peanut butter, ½ c. of honey and 1 ⅓ c. rolled oats. Mix ingredients together using a spatula or large spoon. Next, add a pinch of salt and ½ c. dark chocolate chips. After mixing ingredients together, hand roll the mixture into balls and place them on a pan. Allow the protein balls to harden in the refrigerator for approximately one hour then enjoy throughout the week!
Having fun with healthy snacks keeps your energy levels up and hunger levels down!
Tori Sarver is an intern for KC Parent. She is studying strategic communications and journalism at CU Boulder. She enjoys yogurt and granola as a daily snack!
Source: Women’s Health