The Fabulous Five: Energy Snacks

I’m a snacker.  So, I’m constantly on the lookout for yummy nom-nom-nom energy snacks. I view food as a way to fuel my body AND my body needs to be refueled often. These are a few of my favorite go-to snacks. I eat them before I workout. I eat them in the morning. I eat them in the afternoon. I eat them on the go. Well, you get the idea…

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1. Nut Butters

Nothing says “high energy snack” like nut butters. My favorite is almond butter. But often, almond butter can taste grainy which makes it a little hard to swallow. That’s why my favorite almond butter is Justin’s Maple Almond Butter. It is so creamy and delicious that it feels like a cheat treat.

A spoonful of this stuff gives you enough protein and energy to power through a workout or chase your kiddo around the house. Also, they come in cute little single serving packets that are super easy to toss in your bag and take with you. These are kid friendly and come in a variety of flavors including honey peanut butter. I carry the almond butter with me at all times. Hungry? Just ask.

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 2. Dates

Ahh…nature’s candy. If you are not eating dates, then you are missing out! I recently discovered medjool dates. Oh. My. Gosh. This stuff tastes like fudgey chocolate. Um, yum!

Dates are fabulous when you eat them just by themselves. It is the perfect little rush of natural sugar. For a powerhouse energy snack, I will cut a date in half and spread some of the Justin’s Maple Almond Butter on either side. Ah-mazing! I also throw dates in to my smoothies as my sweetener. There are lots of recipes floating around the web to make date paste to use as a sweetener in baking. I haven’t had a need to try these yet (I’m not much of a baker), but it sounds like a fabulous idea!

I am able to get organic medjool dates from our produce co-op. I buy them in bulk because they are cheaper that way. If you put them in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator, dates can last up to four to five months. So, if you see a good deal on the suckers, stock up! I have also seen medjool dates in the produce section at the grocery.

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3. Kind Bars

Ever since I switched to a gluten free diet, Kind bars have been my go-to energy and snack bar. All of Kind’s products are gluten free and non-GMO. Their philosophy is to have ingredients you can see and pronounce. So, you don’t have to wonder what you are really eating.

These bars taste like homemade granola bars. They are super yummy and super convenient. They have tons of flavors ranging from sweet to savory AND my kiddo likes them. Some of my favorite flavors include Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, and Roasted Jalapeno. They also make Healthy Grains Granola Bars which are great for a breakfast-on-the-go. I love the Dark Chocolate Chunk and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate.

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 4. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a protein powerhouse! It provides a whopping amount of protein with no fat. If you are watching your macros, Greek yogurt will quickly become your friend. It is one of the few things you can eat to increase your protein intake without also increasing your fat intake.

Greek yogurt can be added to smoothies. You can eat it with a little bit of honey. Add some fresh berries or other fruit. Throw in some granola (such as Kind’s gluten free Raspberry with Chia Seeds) and it is the perfect power breakfast. We prefer Fage yogurt, but have been experimenting with the new Activia Greek yogurt. So far, so good!

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5. Cheese

My kiddo and I have such a thing for cheese. I love cheese…good cheese. Not only is it yummy, but it also packs a protein punch that can quickly snap me out of my hanger (hungry anger). Make sure you are getting the “good cheese.” Not the over processed kind that is super gummy or doesn’t melt. Ick.

I am able to get Amish cheeses from our produce co-op. Oh my! So good! My favorites are the cheese curds (hello!) and the raw milk cheddar cheese. My only problem is portioning myself so I don’t eat the whole thing! We also keep Sargento string cheese on hand since they are super convenient to grab-and-go. Sargento is definitely my favorite store bought brand due to the taste and the way it cooks.

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Well, that is quite the directory of deliciousness! Arsenal of awesome! Yurt of yum!

What are your go-to snacks for an energy boost? I’m always on the lookout to add more yummy snacks to my stockpile of scrumptious!

Peace, Love & Happiness,