The workday can get long and finding time for a meal can be tough. Having snacks prepared in advance can make or break your day. If you don’t plan for snack time you could find yourself grabbing a snickers and a Dr. Pepper like I have done on the past.
So you know you are going to have that craving, why not plan to deal with it in advance? It’s not that hard. It can be as simple as some roasted almonds and a boiled egg or prepare something and have it ready when you feel the hunger strike.
So here are some simple recipes you can prepare in advance and stay healthy eating when the urge hits.
Hummus –
Yes, you can buy the store bought hummus when you are in a time pinch but it is cheaper and just about as easy and quick to make your own.
-Two 15 oz. cans of chickpeas/garbanzo beans
-1/3 cup of liquid from the can of chickpeas
-Two cloves of garlic finely minced or 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
-Juice from 1/2 lemon
-3 tablespoons of olive or grape seed oil
-2 tablespoons of tahini (sesame seed paste)
-1 teaspoon of salt
Directions: Mix all the ingredients in a food processor until the consistency is smooth. Yes, it’s that easy and tasty.
Here are some other ideas for simple snack recipes.
Smoked Turkey Pinwheels: Spread a layer of softened cream cheese on sliced smoked turkey breast and top with thinly sliced tomato. Roll up and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Cheesy Kale Chips: Tear kale leaves into large pieces and arrange on a baking she
et. Spritz with olive oil and bake in a 350° oven until crisp. While still warm, sprinkle with grated parmesan.
Pile smoked Gouda slices and dried cherries on a whole wheat tortilla and microwave until hot and melty. You can also pop these into the oven on the plane to melt or put them on paper and use the heater from the coffee maker.
Five-Spice Pumpkin Seeds: Toss salted pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) with sesame oil and chinese five-spice powder, then bake at 350° until crisp.
Inside-Out Hot Dog: Wrap a dill pickle spear in a paper-thin slice of ham and dip in ballpark mustard.
Whole wheat pretzels are always delicious, but they’re flat-out irresistible when slathered with spicy mustard spiked with ancho chile powder and sea salt.
Ranch-Style Popcorn: Spritz air-popped popcorn with olive oil and dust with buttermilk powder, celery salt and chopped fresh dill.
Here are even more ideas for simple snack recipes.
Munch on dried nori (seaweed) strips — they’re surprisingly addictive!
You know what’s delicious on baked potato chips? Chopped hard-boiled egg seasoned with lemon, parsley and anchovies.
Spruce up a shot of tomato juice by topping it with finely chopped cooked shrimp, scallions and crumbled saltines.
Buffalo Popcorn: Toss air-popped popcorn with olive oil, a little hot sauce and a handful of crumbled blue cheese to season.
Dip sugar snap peas into warm goat cheese (30 seconds in the microwave should do it).
1-2-3 Thai Slaw: Open a bag of shredded carrots; dress lightly with toasted sesame oil, lime juice, olive oil, honey and a dash of cayenne pepper. Toss in chopped salted peanuts.
Sweet and Spicy Citrus: Dip tangerine segments into honey and dust with chili powder-spiked cocoa.
No-Bake Fruit Crisp: Sprinkle fresh blackberries with your favorite type of granola and microwave until warm.
Make strawberries just a bit decadent: Halve them and spread the cut sides with softened goat cheese.
And here are more ideas on beating the snack attack.
Spread granny smith apple wedges with chunky cashew butter and top with toasted sesame seeds
Thread alternating chunks of pineapple, papaya and naturally fat-free angel food cake onto bamboo skewers
Peanut Butter & Coconut Bars: Combine puffed whole grain cereal with just enough peanut butter and marshmallow cream to hold it together. Stir in shredded coconut and dried blueberries. Press into a pan, chill and cut into bite-size portions.
Chewy Chocolate Clusters: Melt bittersweet chocolate and stir in chopped dried apricots, rolled oats and sunflower seeds. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper, then let chill.
Baby red potatoes become blissfully creamy when you microwave them for 3 to 5 minutes (leave the skin on for nutrients). Sprinkle with pepper and sea salt and pop them in your mouth.
Indian-Spiced Cashews: Toss raw cashews in coconut oil and curry powder; roast at 400° until golden.