Snack Time Munchies

If any of you are like me, a simple 3 meals per day will certainly not satisfy your bellies. In fact, even certain researchers say that eating 5 meals a day (3 full meals + 2 snacks) is the most beneficial for our bodies.

But here's the problem - snack foods. When I was a kid, I used to think of "snacks" as being Lay's Potato Chips with a packet of Welch's Fruit Snacks and a snack size pack of Oreo's. Little did I realize how much these simple "snacks" were destroying my body; snacks are meant to be a mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick me up - they are not meant to make you feel as if you just ate a whole meal off of the buffet at Golden Corral. Snacks are really just meant to tie you over until that next meal.
Now, wait one second. I am certainly not trying to tell anyone how to eat or what to eat here. This is just a life-lesson that I have learned the hard way, as I didn't listen to what my mother would tell me and I thought my food choices were fine. They weren't. My posts are only for those who went/are going through the same situations, for I want to give my perspective on these types of things. Trust me - I know we all get those midnight cravings for Ben & Jerry's or a box of Cheez-It's; and even if you do indulge yourself in that, there's no shame. We all have slip-ups. We're all human (unless you're Scott from Teen Wolf...).

So, what is a snack in my eyes? When I first started transitioning into my new "healthy lifestyle", I figured snacks could only be things like an apple or a baggie of carrots.
Oh boooooooy, was I wrong. There are literally thousands of snack options; it's just about taking the time to plan them out, shop the right way, and control cravings.
I usually only have a snack between lunch and dinner during the summer, because I eat giant breakfasts (makes me feel better through the day). However, once I am back in school, snacks are a MUST.

If you're stuck or you're not sure where to start, always think of protein first. Certain protein bars (Quest bars, Nature Valley Greek Yogurt bars, etc) can be FANTASTIC snacks that are also delicious, so they suit your cravings (did I mention Quest has an apple pie bar? yeah, exactly). If you're not one for protein bars, there's always yogurt! I just recently got into greek yogurt, but if I am in a hurry, I stick to my favorite Danon Light & Fit yogurt cups! A few other of my latest & greatest snack ideas:

Any fruits (apples, bananas, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, etc.)

blueberries & pomegranate seeds 

Granola - try with almond butter or peanut butter and cinnamon!

Power bowls - for hungrier times. Includes a carb, a protein, and nutrients (fruit)

strawberries/blueberries/grapes & granola/greek yogurt

Crackers and dip (usually pita/multigrain crackers and hummus/red. fat cream cheese)

TJ pita crackers with baby bell peppers, salsa, and red.fat cream cheese

Also obsessed with tropical trail mix & light string cheese. A great mid-afternoon pick-me-up is also the fitness-famous BLENDICANO at Starbucks (click here if you haven't read my post on this extravagant drink that's less than 20 calories).

These are just a few ideas, but they should do the trick when your belly starts to rumble, yet you still have another hour and a half until dinner rolls around. 

So as tempting as it may be to reach for that Little Debbie brownie or pouch of barbecue chips, think of what good you'll do your body if you fuel it with the right types of food, so that when lunch time strikes, you have an appetite. 

-Lyndsey

If you missed my last post on girls who lift, click here - I promise you won't regret it.