Spring break season is upon us. Whether you’re venturing over to the warmer climates and donning your favorite new bathing suit or bulking up while hitting the snowy slopes, it’s time for us to start thinking about staying fit and healthy. If you’re like me, last semester’s work schedule has thrown your eating habits way off track. Fan of late night snacking? I think so. No need to worry: here are five recommendations to trade in for those candy bars and chips:
Apples and peanut butter:
Get your apple-a-day with this sweet snack. Smear some PB for some extra filling. Got a sweet tooth? Allergic to peanuts? Swap peanut butter with Nutella for an equally satisfying munch.
Avoid added sugar and lots of sodium by checking the brand of peanut butter you are buying. While this snack is nutritious, it might make you want to eat more of it in place of sweets. Make sure you choose the right type of spread.
Ants on a Log:
Add a little twist to the age-old recipe by using low-fat whipped cream cheese as a substitute for peanut butter. You won’t want to miss this creamy snack!
Don’t like raisins? Add dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, chopped almonds or chopped pistachios instead.
Carrots and Hummus:
Wind down the day with a serving of carrots and your favorite hummus brand. Boost your energy and satisfy your cravings with this easy to grab snack.
One serving of this gives you 5 grams of filling fiber. Feeling ambitious? Try to make your own hummus using this recipe.
Whole Wheat Toast with Greek Yogurt:
Add a dollop of Greek yogurt onto a slice of toast (try cinnamon bread for a surprising twist). Top off with your selection of fresh fruit for an appetizing late afternoon snack. Also try other fruity flavors of Greek yogurt to mix and match.
Edamame:
I don’t know why I like these so much, but as a soybean, a cup of edamame really packs in the protein. Add a lemon to the snack for a tangy taste. Also, add these in your salad for a refreshing new mix.
1 cup of edamame has 17g of protein, 8g of Fiber (32% of your daily allowance), 8g of healthy fat, 16g of carbs, and is a great source of Vitamins C, B, and E.
Cindy Yuan
Images from:
http://www.ashleypettitliving.com
1 Comment
elonia_mchenry
Great ideas! I never heard of apples with Nutella before (I’m not really a fan of peanut butter).