The rumors are true: What you eat is as important as what you do when it comes to hitting your fitness goals. You could be working out nonstop doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts every day (by the way, don’t do that; a mix of high- and low-impact workouts are better for your joints) but if you’re not eating healthy, the workouts will be for naught. It’s important to keep a healthy and nutritious diet, including the snacks you eat between meals. It may seem like no big deal to reach for that sweet snack when you’re hungry, but if you do it too often, you might be negating the good work you’re putting in through working out.
Not sure where to start with said healthy snacks, or just need some inspiration? We’ve got you covered with a few fun ideas to keep you full in between meals and allow you to stay on track and hit your fitness goals.
Kale chips
I’m a big snacker, and potato chips have always been a huge weakness of mine. Trying to be healthier, I looked up better alternatives and stumbled upon a recipe for kale chips, and the rest was history. Kale chips are a healthy and tasty snack that can satiate your savory cravings without negatively impacting your health. Ingredients? Kale and salt. Want to spice it up? You can add shredded parmesan cheese for an extra bit of texture, or red pepper flakes for added heat. Kale chips are as simple as washing and drying your kale, removing the stems and putting it in the oven until they get crispy. Use a light hand when it comes to seasoning them as kale is incredibly light and thin once baked and you don’t want to overpower it. This is a great snack to make in bulk and keep for snacking during the week.
Apple and peanut butter
This childhood favorite is just as satisfying as an adult. It’s a perfect mix of sweet and savory, with the natural sweetness of the apple offsetting the saltiness of peanut butter. What’s great about this snack is there are multiple ways you can make it depending on the type of apple and/or peanut butter you choose. There’s the classic red apple and creamy peanut butter snack of my childhood, or change it up with green apples and crunchy peanut butter for a bit more tartness and crunchiness. There’s no right answer, just do what you enjoy. You can never go wrong with this combo and it’s a great option to have any time of day when you’re looking for a fulfilling snack.
Hummus and Carrots
Who doesn’t love a good dip? Hummus is a healthy and versatile snack with myriad flavors and there are so many great combinations of ingredients you can either make at home or find in the grocery store. The ultimate healthy snack combo of hummus and carrots makes for a satisfying snack with great textures and flavors. I personally recommend roasted red pepper hummus — spicy red pepper hummus if you like a little extra heat — and baby carrots. Of course, you can buy regular carrots and cut them up, but in making your snacking experience the best you can, baby carrots are a nice compliment and take the work out of prepping carrots. Adding hummus and carrots to your grocery list is an easy and low-lift healthy snack combo that’ll keep you satisfied.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Filling and packed with protein? Sign me up. Hard-boiled eggs are a tried-and-true healthy snack that can be prepared in advance and ready for grab-and-go snacking. Sprinkling a little sea salt on the egg is a classic way of elevating the typical flavor. They’re also incredibly easy to transport and can be enjoyed anywhere.
