This post is brought to you by Alomune. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Check out my latest post on the Alomune blog for Healthy Meal Makeover Ideas!
As a mother of five who works at a desk at home all day long, healthy snacking is one of my biggest challenges. I know what’s good for me….and what’s not…but it’s so tempting to reach for a less-than-healthy snack when the munchies hit me mid-day OR when I’m working late. I know that smart snacking can be a challenge for the kids, too, but I’ve noticed that the kids will snack on whatever I have made available for them. If I stock the cupboards and fridge up with good snack choices, then we’re all more likely to reach for
Making healthy choices available to snack on not only helps you avoid mid-day energy slumps, but it also helps you avoid binging on those not-so-good snack options. I’ve spent plenty of energy searching for healthy snack options online, and frankly most of the lists I’ve found include things that are too complicated for me. I know that if I keep it simple (and cheap) I’m more likely to follow through.
Here are 10 of my favorite go-to healthy snack ideas for both kids and adults:
- Low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese with fruit (my favorite fruit to pair with cottage cheese is pineapple!)
- Popcorn (for a QUICK and healthy popcorn, pour about 1/3 cup popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag and fold the bag closed. Flatten and place bottom-down in the microwave and press the popcorn button. Season with salt and a little bit of melted butter).
- Light string cheese (alone or with a few grapes or olives, depending if you need to satisfy a sweet or salty craving)
- Baby carrots dipped in hummus.
- A handful of nuts (I love pistachios. My kids love roasted almonds)
- A banana or an apple (simple, no preparation needed! Substitute your favorite whole fruit here)
- Yogurt and fruit smoothie (You can try one of my favorite simple recipes here)
- A small cup of dry cereal
- Homemade trail mix (I love mixing nuts with dried cranberries. Yum!)
- Dark chocolate (my favorite!)
Remember that when you’re reaching for a snack that portion sizes are important. Rather than grabbing a whole bag to take back to the desk or the couch, place your snack in a small bowl or cup so that you have a stopping point.
What are some of your favorite easy but healthy snack ideas?
Be sure to check out my article for the month on the Alomune blog: Healthy Meal Makeover Ideas (full of some easy ways to make what you’re already feeding your family just a little bit healthier).
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Love the dark chocolate idea! :) Hummus is one of my absolute faves!
I love all of those snack ideas! Hummus has become one of my favorite snacks, but I have to eat it with tortilla chips until I get my braces off.