My Favorite Type of Snacks

I used to not be a huge snacker and would typically eat smaller meals like snack plates, salads, and smoothies, however being on an unusual schedule during quarantine I tired to omit the snacking habit. Just like everyone else though, I do get urges to nom on something between meals. Snacking also helps to stabilize your blood sugar and tones down the ravenous hunger when it's time to eat at meal.

I’ve always been more of a sweet tooth person and usually find myself reaching for that piece of dark chocolate rather than crackers for a snack. I usually have a smoothie in the morning for breakfast and then a large salad with roasted vegetables and mixed greens. The best thing I have learned when it comes to snacked is to listen to what I’m actually craving and in the mood to eat. If it’s a sweet craving, I more often than not opt for some dark chocolate, or a healthier baked good that I’ve made, but I always try to make sure I am having some protein with whatever I am eating. Here are some of my favorite snack ideas and brands that I love when it comes to munching and noming!

Fruit, Smoothies, Acai Bowls

One snack that I frequently go for is fruit. I mentioned this in my favorite eats blog post about how I love all fruits because they offer so many benefits— fiber, potassium, tons of vitamins, and they’re just so delicious. After meals I usually opt for pineapple because of the digestive enzymes, but my favorites recently have been green grapes and watermelon. Getting creative in the kitchen with frozen and fresh fruit, plant based protein, healthy fats, and fun toppings for smoothies or Açaí bowls is a great way to make a satisfying snack. Read more about how I make the best Acai bowls at this post. A secret addition I love to blend in is 1/2 a Koia protein shake as the liquid base for a smoothie. Their flavors delicious and fun with 18g of protein per bottle. Talk about a serious protein punch in a tasty snack!

Snack Plates

My ultimate favorite snack and appetizer for when friends come over is a loaded charcuterie board, snacking style. I like to start with a staple as a base like a dip and veggies or cheese and crackers. Snack plates are a great way to satisfy all of the crunchy, salty, sweet, and creamy cravings. I love making my own guacamole with simple and fresh ingredients: avocado, tomato, cilantro, lime, shallots/ red onion, and salt + pepper— that’s it! Siete Grain free tortilla chips are amazing with the best crunch and taste to use as a dipper. Adding 2-3 favorite cheeses with Mary’s Superseed crackers or Simple Mills almond flour crackers for a savory, creamy crunch are a great base as well. For some veggies, adding Brad’s kale chips and Way Better sweet potato chips are fun to sprinkle on the board. If I am really in the veggie mood, I will throw some fresh cucumber and baby carrots with hummus on the board. Also, what's a snack board without trail mix? Full of healthy fats, nuts like almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, and the best mixes that come with dark chocolate are for sure a must. Speaking of the sweet corner of the board, Hu Chocolate, dark chocolate covered almonds, or chocolate pretzels make the best additions, but I also love green and purple grapes to add a fruity sweetness.

Healthier Junk Food Favorites

So my favorite snacks as a kid included Cheez-Its, Oreos, Cheetos, popcorn, chocolate and gummies. From time to time I opt for the original brand that is full of unknown delicious ingredients, but mainly I will be on the lookout for alternatives that are made with wholesome ingredients or are primarily plant based. One of my favorite popcorn brand is Skinny Pop- their salt and pepper popcorn and their sea salt mini popcorn cakes with nut butters, avocado, or hummus are to die for.  I’m also a sucker for Boom Chicka Pop‘s sweet and salty kettle corn.

To satisfy my cheez-it craving I always opt for Simple Mills farmhouse cheddar crackers since they even come with individual packs. They are grain free, made from a base of almond flour, and used with other wholesome ingredients. For the cheesy cheeto craving, I am obsessed with HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs, the vegan white cheddar and nacho vibes are puff ball dreams that are USDA organic, certified gluten-free, and fully vegan. I am going to be honest, I can't seem to find a really clean Oreo brand, but I do quite often indulge in the Back to Nature plant based Oreos because they taste like the real thing.

Since I live and breath chocolate basically, I have to mention a few of my favorite brands rather than grabbing a Reese's peanut butter cup every other day. The Perfect Bar peanut butter cups covered in dark chocolate and sea salt are definitely a favorite. I also love everything Hu Chocolate– their gems, quinoa crunch dark chocolate, mint dark chocolate, and so much more that requires multiple bars in my possession at all times. Jojo's dark chocolate bark is also something I pickup whenever I can get my hands on it, which is usually at Sprouts. Their dark chocolate peanut butter delight bars are out of this world. Lastly, a new sweet treat that I have been loving lately is Emmy Organics coconut cookies. Their two newest flavors of Birthday Cake and Pumpkin Spice are on the top of my list to try. Sounds like I am due to for a taste test and product review :)

stay vibrant

xo lindsay