Has your snacking been at an all-time high lately? Since self-isolation started the urge to consume more snacks than I ever eaten before has been so hard to resist.
From salty to sweet from fruit to processed chips, they have all, at some point in this isolation, have found their way into my stomach. Honestly, it’s almost like my body is subconsciously also looking for things to do in its downtime.
At the beginning of self-isolation, I was pretty reckless with what I was putting in my body. I didn’t think much about it, to be honest. However, after a week or so in, the high sugar consumption and a pack of Oreos later, I started feeling extremely sluggish and not at all on my A-game.
I needed a change and I realized my best option was to change the snacks I had in my house so that even when I was snacking I was still eating relatively healthy.
Being an athlete, chasing big goals and someone who works in nutrition education I realized Three things.
- When I come out of isolation, I will be going back to training hard and chasing some BIG goals for the upcoming Olympic year.
- If the majority of my profession is about nutrition and putting healthful and nutritious food into my body, I need to snap out of this weird process food funk.
- Putting healthy foods in my body makes me feel consistently happy.
I wanted to put a disclaimer right here, there are no good foods or bad foods. However, there are some foods that are nutritiously more beneficial than others.
The snacks that I picked make my body feel good! I am also always open for more snack suggestions to so make sure you let me know!
Here are 5 Must-Have Healthy Snacks as told by me, Domonique.
SNACK 1: Trail Mix
GUYS, trail mix is probably my all-time favorite snack. This is because it has almost all my favorite flavor components in one fresh sealed bag. I typically get the giant Aldi one or the bag from Giant. the right serving a trail mix can deliver you your daily dose of antioxidants, protein, unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. It is all around exactly what you need to support a happy and healthy lifestyle and guess what they have M&M’s in it. However, my favorite part is the raisins.
Favorite Trail Mixes
1. Monster Trail Mix – $3.99 (Target)
2. Nut-trition trail mix – $5.18 (Walmart)
SNACK 2: Almondmilk Yogurt with Fresh Berries
I typically get the silk yogurt tub that is vanilla flavored. One, it is more cost-effective to buy the giant tub instead of the individual containers. Also, you can control the portions so much better. This is typically my late night snack because one has protein in it and calcium that is great for supporting healthy and strong bones. I then add berries on top to give it a different texture. Since I am allergic to blueberries I typically just add blackberries on top and mix it all together. If I am feeling a little spicy, I may add granola but usually, late-night snacks are simple easy and don’t need a lot of effort.
Favorites
- Silk Almond Milk Yogurt This one is my favorite $4.99
- Nature Valley Protein Granola This is my favorite granola because of the protein it adds to the yogurt – $3.99
SNACK 3: Somersaults
My mom put me on to this snack last year. These are sunflower seed crunch bites that come in a wide variety of flavors. They are packed with nutrients and are the perfect grab and go snacks. They also taste DELICIOUS! you really can’t go wrong with these. My favorite flavor is Cinnamon. They are nut-free and full of nutrients and healthy fats.
Favorites
1. Somersaults All the flavors — ~$6.00
SNACK 4: Mandarin orange cups
You can never go wrong with this classic snack. I have so many of these cups in my fridge. I have them stacked at all times. They are simple and quick and easy to grab. When buying fruit cups make sure they do not add any extra sugar in them. So remember to read the label. I usually go with Dole Fruit cups. Also, Pro Tip – if there is added sugar in the syrup all you have to do is pour it out. Reduces your sugar consumption and battabing battaboom you’re golden.
SNACK 5: Bark Thins Pretzel and Sea Salt
These are snacks that I have in my house ALL THE TIME!!!! Always stocked because I mean they taste sooooo good! Be careful not to eat the entire bag, but a perfect snack when you are trying to satisfy that sweet tooth. The benefits of Dark chocolate according to Healthline are that it is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and a few other minerals. it also has a wide variety of powerful antioxidants!
Linked right here –> 2.99 at Target
I hope this gives you so much inspiration next time you go grocery shopping for some fun new snacks. Don’t let your pantry get boring! As always I will see you next week. Subscribe so you can be the first one to know when the next post is coming out.
ALSO if you have any snack ideas I should try… let me know down below or on Instagram @domoniquepanton_!
Signing off with love,
Domonique
