We love snacks. Waiting too long between eating times can lead to overeating, blood sugar swings, and low energy. Snacks help bridge the gap.

Here are some simple guidelines and ideas to get you started on the path to snacking bliss.

Create balanced snacks by combining healthy fats, protein, and carbs. Bonus points for veggies! Pick foods from each category to build the perfect balanced snack:

Protein: Lean meats (chicken and turkey), fish & seafood, tofu & tempeh, cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, eggs

Carbs with fiber: Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal), sweet potatoes, 100% whole grain bread/ crackers/wraps, beans & lentils (also contain protein), peas & corn, fruit.

Healthy fats: Nuts & seeds, avocado, plant oils (olive, avocado, coconut), olives

Veggies: Broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, leafy greens (salad, kale, chard, spinach), green beans, sugar snap peas & MANY MORE!

Try to Choose:

• Whole grains and whole-grain flours instead of white, refined flours

• Less processed foods (i.e. foods that look more like their natural state)

• Foods you actually enjoy (what a concept!)

Ideas for Snacks and Small Meals:

• String cheese and a piece of fruit

• Peanut or almond butter on an apple, banana, or whole-grain crackers (we like original Triscuits because they only have three ingredients!)

• Veggie sticks (carrot, celery, bell peppers, cucumber, jicama, sugar snap peas) with hummus

• Small handful of unsalted nuts or seeds and a small handful of dried fruit (or go all out at the bulk bins in your grocery store and make your own trail mix with nuts, seeds, a small amount of dried fruit, a dash of dark chocolate chips, and coconut flakes- yum!)

• Whole grain toast topped with turkey breast and avocado

• A hard-boiled egg and some sliced fruit/veggies (apple, carrot, celery, peppers)

• Crackers with hummus and cucumber slices

• Cottage cheese with pineapple or pear chunks (canned in fruit juice if using canned)

• Half of a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole-grain bread

• Whole grain toast topped with spinach and a poached egg (or hardboiled)

• These Peanut Butter Oat Bites

If you need to buy bars for easy on-the-go snacking, look for one with 3 – 5 grams of fiber, at least 8 grams of protein, less than 10 grams sugar, and less than 8 grams of fat (no more than 1 gram saturated).