What happens when you have a snack attack and don’t have something healthy on hand? You either grab the closest convince food, often void of nutrients and filled with sugar, or you power through the hunger only to walk in the door at 6pm and devour the entire kitchen.
Neither seems to be a good plan, so today I’m sharing my favorite snacks and ideas for keeping healthy options on hand. I’ve previously discussed how to do this in the office setting, transforming your desk from a health hazard to an oasis of nourishment with a few simple swaps. Today we’ll work toward transforming your kitchen and especially having tasty snacks available for your hungry family when they return from school or work.
Where do we begin?
First, take a peek at your cupboard and fridge. Are there items that are not nutrient-rich and tempt you to overindulge? If so, I’d recommend donating them to the trash can immediately :). This is the first thing I do during a Clean Our Your Pantry Tour with a client. Why make starting healthy changes harder than they need to be by having tempting foods around?
You may feel like you’re wasting money by tossing out a bunch of already purchased snacks. I’d encourage you to consider how valuable your health goals are. You may have paid a total of $20 for the seven bags of chips, crackers, and cookies stored in your cupboard, but is it really worth the approximately 70 servings of low quality materials, stomach ache, and frustration you feel after overindulging? Just start fresh. I promise it’s worth it!
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Now let’s restock that kitchen with some nutrient-rich and fabulously tasty items to have on hand!
I’m big on bulk cooking in order to enjoy healthful eating without losing your mind. By preparing several key items for recipes at the beginning of the week you can have delicious meals and snacks for days without spending a ton of time in the kitchen. Win-win!
Check out some of my favorite recipes to prep ahead, as well as products to have on hand.
- Hummus & Veggies – I always have 1-2 large batches of hummus in the fridge. It’s so simple to set out a container with pre-cut veggies for an after school snack or appetizer. I love Dreena Burton’s Red Lentil Hummus for a fun twist on the original!
- Healthify Sweet Treats – Welcome the beautiful fall season with these tasty Pumpkin Snackles also from Dreena. They pack well in a book bag, purse, or make a great breakfast on the run.
- Chia Seed Pudding Parfaits make for a simple, delicious and really pretty snack. Make a big batch of Basic Chia Seed Pudding at the beginning of the week to have on hand any time you’re in need. Layer it with fruit and granola for a satisfying snack or breakfast.
- Make a Simple Swap – Trade the candy dish on your counter with a big bowl of fruit. Your family will grab whatever is most readily available, trust me.
- Keep Travel-Friendly Items in Tote – Stock your purse or car with nutrient-dense granola bars. When the kids jump in the car after school and are ravenous, you’re ready! My all time favorite granola bars are LaraBar & Two Mom’s in the Raw. I absolutely love both of these companies for their simplicity of ingredients – all from whole foods and unprocessed – and bursting with flavor!
Snag a Snack Attack Pack to be prepared! I’m giving away 1 box of Two Mom’s in the Raw Gluten-Free, Organic Cranberry Granola Bars and 6 of my favorite flavors of LaraBar’s. You’ll be on your way to healthy eating in no time!
Giveaway for U.S. residents only and ends at midnight on September 27th.