Healthy Guide to Life: Snacks

Everyone knows that snacking is something nearly everyone does! Every afternoon, between lunch and dinner, I find myself craving something sweet but I want to eat healthy so I will share my fave snacks with you all!

If you are a salt lover, look no further than this fabulously salty list:
1. Sun Chips! I have always enjoyed a nice bag of sun chips and I love love love the Multigrain Sun Chips! They are the best! Pair your chips with salsa, french onion dip (no more than 1/6 cup), or any other healthy dip and you have a snack that satisfies!

2. Peanuts! Not only are peanuts fun to pop in your mouth; they are a great snack! But beware, too much can be to fatty. Only consume 1/4 cup per serving 2-3 times a week!

3. Multigrain Pretzels! This may sound funky but boy is it good! You can dip your pretzels in yogurt, peanut/almond butter, salsa, fruit dips, or whatever sounds good and healthy to you!

4. Popcorn! Not only is popcorn fun for movies but a great snack! You can buy the mini bags at any grocery store and I must say look at the ingredients! Avoid Partially/Fully Hydrogenated oils, Mono sodium Glutamate (MSG) or any other words you can't pronounce because they are all dangerous to your body! If the ingredients list for popcorn is less than 6 ingredients long you know its going to be better than any other!

Now for you sweet tooth's out there! I know what its like to sooo badly want a sweet fix so here is a list special for you:
1. Dark Chocolate! Did you know that consuming 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate a day is good for your heart and skin complexion; so go for it! Pair your dark chocolate with a fresh fruit like strawberries and you have a delicious snack that is healthy and satisfying!

2. A fruit salad! Now you may be saying, OK that is refreshing but not sweet! Well here is my solution, drizzle dark chocolate or honey on top and then its deliciously savory and sweet! And if you want to award yourself after a great workout; put some whipped cream on top that fruit and enjoy your reward!

3. Juice Pops! Take your favorite juice (grape and pomegranate juice are both filled with a great source of vitamins and antioxidants!) and pour it into a 5 oz cup, cover the top with aluminum foil or cling wrap, put a small hole in the middle and place a popsicle stick inside. Freeze for 3-4 hours and ta-da! You have a sweet (and healthy) snack!

4. Fruit Leather! You are probably wondering what on earth fruit leather is right? Well allow me enlighten you; fruit leather is basically the same thing as those disgusting fruit roll ups but its made from real fruit with no or little added sugar. They are ate many grocery stores and they may cost more than fruit roll ups but they are way better for you!

5. Chocolate and Peanut butter dipped apples! This is making me hungry already!
Take a medium sized apple and cut into 5-7 slices. Melt dark chocolate (either in fondue pot or small kettle) and dip apple slices 3/4 of the way into chocolate. Let cool in fridge on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or wax paper til chocolate is hard. Pull out of fridge and dip in your peanut butter! This is really fun and easy to make! You get your dark chocolate and a fruit all in one great snack! This also makes a fantastic party snack!

6. Fresh Fruit Pizza! Here is what you need:
2 (8 to 9-inch) tortillas, preferably whole wheat
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup mascarpone or cream cheese
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced fresh Chilean fruit including nectarines, plums, kiwi and blueberries
1/4 cup apricot jam, melted *Optional
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Sprinkle tortillas with sugar and cinnamon; place on baking sheet and bake until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven; cool.
Spread with cheese, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
Arrange fruit on the cheese.
Brush with jam to create a glossy finish. *Optional
To serve, use a large knife to cut pizzas into quarters and serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.

Now for those of you who suffer from TMS, The Munchy Syndrome, I have some healthy stuff that is great for you to get munching on:
1. Carrots and Ranch dip. Simple and fun for munching!

2. Celery topped with peanut butter or cream cheese! I really enjoy this snack when I want something crisp and refreshing!

3. Nuts! Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Peanuts, Hazelnuts, any nuts! All are great to munch on! But only have 1-2 ounces of your fave nut every day because nuts can be fatty!

4. Chicken/Turkey and cheese roll ups! This is great for meat and cheese lovers like my brother!

5. Fiber Bars! Dr. Weil, Odwalla, Luna, and Cliff are all great brands that make amazingly delicious and filling snack bars! Dr. Weil's Chai Razz bars are sooo sweet and delicious; Odwalla makes nuts fun in their bars; Luna makes fantastic energy bars for women; and Cliff makes great adult and kid bars in fun flavors like smore's, chocolate chip, honey graham, and chocolate brownie!

6. Scones! I have a great recipe for healthy scones! If you are interested, comment on this post to let me know you would like my recipe!

I hope this will help you all enjoy snacking without the guilt! Have an amazing day!

Blessings,
Butterfly

P.S. I am not sure if I will be doing a Healthy Guide to Life on dinner only because mom's may be upset that their kids are trying to take over the dinner plans! Just be sure to eat a big salad sometime in your day and that you have a couple veggies with your dinner and everything else is up to your mom! = )