Top 10 on the Go Snacks

Before bolting out the door for work, pop one of these healthy snacks in your bag to help you avoid grabbing the not-so-healthy-nibbles that call your name from the employee lounge vending machine!

 

1.  Trail Mix

Trail mix is a really simple and easy snack to bring with you to work.  It packs really easily and you don't have to keep it refrigerated all day.  I find that trail mix is a nice substitute for chips or pretzels because you’re still getting that crunch plus you’re actually fueling your body with nutrition.   I prefer to make my own trail mix as opposed to buying the store-bought kind; if you look at the label, most of them contain other ingredients that are best avoided.   When you make your own you get to decide what goes in it!  I usually make a large batch to last a few weeks.  Be sure to store it in a glass container in your fridge to keep it fresh.

 

Ingredients:

Walnuts

Pecans

Almonds

Gogi berries

Mulberries

Golden berries

Cacao nibs

Shredded coconut

 

2.  Fruit and Raw Nuts

 

An oldie but goodie!  How easy it is to grab a banana or apple and some nuts?!  This is a great snack because it requires no prep.  I personally only buy and eat raw organic nuts; it is best to avoid salted and roasted nuts as the processing makes the nuts go rancid and makes the proteins in the nuts harder to digest.  Also, the salt used is usually table salt, which I’m sure you know is not what you want to be putting in your body!

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Green Apple Slices and Almond Butter

 

You can also use carrot sticks and/or celery sticks, but my personal favorite snack is green apple slices with almond butter; together the flavors are amazing!  When I’m on the go, I usually pre-cut my apple and put 2-3 tbsp of almond butter in a small glass container so when I’m ready to snack all I have to do is dip and eat!  I personally only buy and eat raw, organic almond butter.   Having tried many different brands, I really enjoy  “Once Again” (the label has a picture of a raccoon on it.) 

 

 

 

 

4.  Hard Boiled Eggs

 

Eggs are one of the best sources of proteins!  And if you’re eating a quality egg, they also contain a healthy balance of Omeg-3 and Omega-6.   I’ll usually make a large batch of hardboiled eggs so I have them ready to go when I need to grab them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Banana Almond Smoothie

 

This snack requires a little bit of prep, but it’s super easy to make!  And if you don't have time in the morning, make it the night before and store it in a glass jar with a twist cap so you can shake it when you’re ready to drink it!

 

Ingredients:

1 Banana

2 tbsp almond butter

8-10oz almond milk

1-2 tbsp raw honey (optional)

 

* Blend until desired consistency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Brown Rice Snaps and Almond Butter

 

I personally do not eat a lot of processed foods because of all of the sugars and harmful chemicals being added to most of them, but when I’m in the mood for a cracker, I’ll eat plain brown rice snaps.  I like the brand by Edward and Sons (pictured) because they’re not only organic, but the only two ingredients used are brown rice and water!  I have to admit they’re a little plain, though, so I top them off with some creamy almond butter to add a little flavor.  You could also eat them with organic cheese or hummus.

 

 

 

7.  Yogurt and Mixed Fruit

 

This is one of my daily staples; I tend to eat yogurt and fruit for breakfast, but it also makes for a great afternoon snack.  I buy plain, organic yogurt made by Brookford Farms in Rollinsford, NH.  I cut up a mix of fruits and add them to my yogurt with a pinch of pure stevia to sweeten it a bit.  When you buy yogurt, do NOT but the flavored varieties; those are like liquid candy bars as they are loaded with sugar and all kinds of other not-so-healthy ingredients!  If you’re not used to eating plain yogurt, start with an organic brand flavored with vanilla; there’s still a lot of sugar but it’s better than the kind with fruit on the bottom.  This is what I did as I was transitioning from the flavored low-fat, low-cal stuff to the plain, organic kind.  Once you start eating the plain yogurt with your own fixings, you’ll never go back to the other stuff!

 

8.  Cream Cheese Avocado Dip and Veggies

 

To make the dip combine 2-3 tbsp of organic cream cheese with 1/4-1/3 of a ripe avocado, and mash them together until well blended.  Slice up a few veggies of your choice, and you’re good to go!  On mornings when I don’t have a lot of time to prepare foods, I’ll take a few minutes the night before to prepare my meals for the next day.  You can cut up a bunch of veggies to last you a few days so you don’t have to think about getting something ready every day.

 

 

 

 

 

9.  Chocolate Yogurt Sundae

 

This recipe makes for a yummy dessert if you want a healthy chocolate fix!

 

Ingredients:

1 cup plain, organic yogurt

1-tbps raw cacaco nibs

1 tbsp ground nuts (I like almonds, walnuts and pecans)

1 tbsp ground flaxseeds (optional)

1 pinch of pure stevia or real maple syrup

 

*Mix all ingredients together in a small, portable glass container.  You could even add sliced bananas or strawberries to give it that sundae feel!

 

 

10.  Peanut Butter and Chocolate English Muffin

 

This is a healthy alternative to get your Reese’s fix!  I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, but I don’t love how I feel when I eat the candy.  So when I’m looking for a treat this is what I make.

 

Ingredients:

1 gluten-free English muffin

2 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter

1 tbsp raw cacao nibs

 

* Toast the English muffin and spread nut butter on top.  Sprinkle each slice with cacao nibs.  To pack it, put each slice back together and put it in a glass container with a sealable cover.

 

To share these healthy snacks with your friends and family please click the “like” button.

 

Melissa Koerner