Snack foods – some grab and go ideas for busy people

Life is busy. We juggle work, kids, significant others, extracurriculars, exercise, and the list goes on. And of course, healthy eating is often on our list of commitments, but there’s only so much time in one day.

That’s why I’ve put together the “Grab & Go Snack Guide for Busy People.” Because in order to do all those other things that we do, we need to nourish and fuel our bodies so that we can feel our best and perform at our best.

Let’s talk for a moment about what defines a good snack. I think about snacks as mini meals, meaning they should have all of the components of a meal but in a smaller portion size. We want to keep them well balanced with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to promote satiety, good digestion, blood sugar balance, and awesome energy.

Plus, when you nosh on nutrient-dense snack foods, you become more attuned to your hunger levels, more mindful of what you’re eating, and less likely to reach for the nearest sweet treat. Your body also benefits from an extra dose of essential minerals, which can help curb sugar cravings.

If it’s one of those weeks where you really have zero time to prepare anything, here are some very simple snacks that can be made in under 5 minutes, which meet the above criteria:

· 1 cup seasonal fruit + handful of nuts

· 1-piece wholegrain toast + 1/2 avocado

· 2 dates + drizzle of almond butter + sprinkle of hemp or chia seeds

· Veggie sticks + whole tahini

· Full fat yogurt + ½ cup fruit + ¼ cup seeds (e.g. chia & sunflower)

· An egg + avocado + cherry tomatoes + olives (piece of bread optional)

If you want to jazz it up a bit, try some new recipes, and take your snacking to the next level, you’ll need to set aside about an hour of prep time at the beginning of the week – but you’ll reap the rewards, as you’ll have a handful of delicious, health-boosting grab-and-go snacks at your disposal.