It’s time to talk SNACKING!!! Are you one of those people who love to eat healthy, but has a sweet tooth that can’t be ignored? Check out these 6 snack ideas and embrace the sweetness in a healthy way!
I have a sweet tooth, so I know the feeling of craving for something sweet, especially if there are big gaps of time between your main meals. That’s why snacking is so important. The key is to choose good quality snacks that make your taste buds cheer and your belly feel satisfied, without causing sugar highs and crashes, breakouts, or bloating.
You may think packaged foods are the easiest way to go, but I’m warning you – due to their sugar content, refined carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients – they will only make your body crave more junk. So choose whole food snacks! Real food! These will help stabilize your blood sugar, help you feel energized longer, keep your metabolism active, and provide nutrients to your body that will keep you satisfied.
Check out these 6 healthy, sweet, and gluten free snack ideas and kiss your sugar cravings goodbye. Enjoy!
1. Stuffed Dates
Replace the pit of a date with a walnut. Voila! Around 4 to 5 stuffed dates are good for a stack. You can also try it with hazelnuts, almonds, or pecans. I’ve tried them all. Awesomeness.
2. Choco-banana Greek Yogurt
Scoop ¾ of a cup of organic Greek yogurt into a small bowl, top it off with 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs (or raw cacao powder), and a small sliced banana.
3. Apple Slice Mini Sandwiches
Cut an apple into slices. Spread a thin layer of any organic nut butter on a slice of apple, sprinkle on cinnamon and top it off with another slice of apple. Use the apple slices as if they were small pieces of bread. Yummy!
Note: for this snack, avoid processed nut butters and choose organic and natural ones to avoid hydrogenated oils, refined sugars, and other harmful ingredients. If you want to know the difference between organic and processed nut butters, check out this article.
4. Almond Milk Smoothie
Blend 1 cup of almond milk, 5 to 6 strawberries, and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. Give it a taste and add stevia if you’d like it sweeter! For a post-workout treat, add your favourite protein powder.
5. Homemade Trail Mix
Have a handful of your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Almond, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and cranberries are a great combo! Use raw nuts and seeds, without any added salt or seasoning.
6. Frozen Grapes
So simple and so tasty! Freeze a few grapes and have them for your snack. They’re fun to eat, loaded with antioxidants, and quite refreshing on hot days! 7 to 10 grapes should suffice.
It’s important to remember that sometimes we think we’re hungry when really we’re thirsty, so keep yourself hydrated throughout the day! Flavour your water with chopped fruits or vegetables to make it more fun (see this awesome video for ideas or check out this post on my Facebook page). Herbal teas are great too.
Hope these tips helped! Share these ideas with your family and friends! If you’d like to add another healthy snack idea, please do so in the comment section below. The more the merrier 🙂 Take care!!
Daniela
“Image courtesy of antpkr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.
