Healthy Snack Ideas!

Trail Mix

2 cups raw cashews

2 tbs. maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch of cayenne pepper

pinch of sea salt

3/4 cup of dried peaches-chopped into 1/2inch pieces

3/4 cup of dried apricots

3/4 cup of raisins

1. Mix maple syrup with spices

2. Coat cashews with syrup mixture-spread out on baking sheet-may need 2

3. Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes

4. Let cashews cool, then add dried fruit

The cayenne pepper can make it pretty spicy, so if that's not your thing just exclude it. You can also add other types of nuts or dried fruit to make it your own. Coconut is also another great thing to add for a little sweetness. You could make this easy trail mix at the beginning of the week and section it out into smaller portions for a healthy snack throughout the week. But remember, nuts have a lot of fat in them, so eat them in moderation. That's why portioning them out ahead of time is a good idea.

Avocado Toast

2 slices of french bread

1/2 avocado

1/4 tomato-diced

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

pinch of sea salt and pepper

1. Mash avocado with fork

2. Add lemon juice, tomatoes, salt, and pepper

3. Spread on toast

This is a quick and satisfying snack! Sometimes I will doctor it up more with red pepper flakes, garlic, and cumin. But this is the fast approach.

Apple with Cheddar

Something as simple as taking the time to thinly slice an apple makes you feel as though you are eating a substantial snack because you have more bites. It may sound silly, but just try it. I think apples are very filling, so it holds me over for awhile. Pairing a good green apple with an aged cheddar cheese is a great combination. I think it is worth the extra money to buy a good quality aged cheddar.

Rye Toast with Hummus & Blackberries

I usually prefer to make my own hummus, but it is really convenient to have a store-bought hummus around for a quick healthy snack. I prefer to have the fresh hummus made in the deli over the prepackaged kinds. You can also experiment with hummus flavors. The Co-op I go to have a great roasted red pepper hummus! So you get some fiber and protein from the toast with hummus and the blackberries add another sweet healthy kick. I also like to drink coconut water every once in awhile. I get a brand that has pineapple puree in it, so it tastes even better and adds even more nutrients. Coconut water is great for rehydrating and it is very refreshing in the summer. A much healthier choice than soda.