This is my biggest struggle so suggestions are requested. I have found that eating small every 3 hours is hard, even as a stay home mom. I have 2 kids to schedule, errands to run, and a sweet tooth! I know healthy snacks are great, but if you won't eat them, what's the point? I want something yummy, satisfying, and usually quick.
Leftovers divided into small containers helps! If we have a yummy, healthy dinner or lunch, put into 2-3 small tupperware containers instead of a big one. Then you have portion control AND a ready snack.
Get your favorite fruits and veggies to keep on hand. I like to cut up veggies and keep in baggies for a snack when I'm running out the door. I also love sliced almonds! Sliced because I eat less but it takes longer. They are also great salad toppers and in trail mix.
TRAIL MIX! Make your own with what you like. Get dry, UNsweetened fruits, nuts, unsweetened coconut, if you have a need for sweets get DARK chocolate chips! Healthier, satisfying, and you can't really eat as many. Put it into snack ziplock baggies so you have it to grab.
I love crunchy! Chips are a weakness! So I found a solution for me. Tostadas!!! I get the already toasted corn tortillas with no salt. I top with sautéed veggies, or my favorite: black bean salsa, refrained beans, and some cheese. Not too healthy, so get the good processor (mine is a 1.5 cup I got at Walmart for $10 originally to make baby food and now I use it a ton!!) and mix black or pinto beans with tomato, avocado, jalapeño, veggies -- whatever you want! Make a good paste and store it in the fridge. Put a tablespoon or 2 on your tostada shell and sprinkle cheese if desired. Yummy and you can mix enough for a week at a time. I enjoy it with seltzer water.
I got a recipe for "turkey muffins" too. Sounded weird and I didn't have most of the seasonings, but I used what I had and they are A-mazing! Here is what I used. Feel free to adjust to your likes.
1 lb ground turkey or chicken
1 egg and 1/4 c egg whites
3/4 c oats
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp black pepper
1-2 Tbsp Tony's creole seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 thick slice onion chopped
1 celery stick chopped
Pick well, put into muffin tins, bake at 375* for about 30-35 min. Made 8.
I love string cheese, turkey jerkey, cutie oranges, ants on a log (celery with PB and raisins), roasted broccoli with garlic and tihini sauce (my cousin just introduced me to this. Yum!).
There are some of my ideas. What are yours???
I love these ideas! Totally stealing some ;)
ReplyDeleteOur farmers/produce market has bulk everything, from nuts to healthy chips, to dried vegetables, etc. So I like to get some of that and divide them up in to snack size containers or bags (this way I'm not eating out of the bulk bag and loading up on calories).
Leaving fruit within eyesight is good too. And chopping up carrots and other vegetables ahead of time helps when I need a crunch. As for tahini- YUM! I love hummus! It's a great dip for vegetables. So is Greek yogurt!
I also found 100 calorie pack kettle corn (Orville Redenbacher- the box comes with a bunch of little packs) just one bag comes with SO much kettle corn it's crazy! And just 100 calories. I'm in love. So I love sticking it in the microwave for 2 minutes and having a bowl of popcorn to snack on. I sprinkle on cinnamon or cayenne, or whatever for a little extra spicy kick (good for metabolism)- you can also dip popcorn in yogurt or any dip you want- it helps me eat it more slowly instead of stuffing in a handful of popcorn.
Anyway, that was long! If I can thing of any other things I do, I'll add to it!
PS- Totally trying those turkey muffins!