Top 8 Power Snacks

My brother called me and wanted to know some healthy snack ideas ideal for people on-the-go and for the not-so-skilled in the kitchen. So here ya have it- power snacks appropriate for all ages and all lifestyles. A healthy snack always includes protein. This will keep you feeling full longer and help to stabilize blood sugar.

1. Nut and Seed Balls- With the right ingredients, these can be nutrient power-houses. Set aside your sugar-laden powerbars and savor these nut and seed balls. You can make a lot of these in advance and keep them in freezer. Pack a few in tupperware or tinfoil for a healthy snack away from home.

2. Smoothies- If you are falling behind on my recommended 8-9 servings of veggies/day. Smoothies are a great way to get in some greens. Trust me, you won't taste the added spinach or kale if you have plenty of antioxidant-rich berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in the there. Be sure to always include a protein source like peanut-butter or almond butter or protein powder. Here is my smoothie recipe.

3. Ants on a log- This is a childhood favorite. It includes celery topped with a nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter or my favorite, sunflower seed butter) and raisins. A sweet and savory healthy treat! Bonus- an easy way to get a veggie in! Make a bunch of them in advance and store in a tupper-ware in the fridge. Will keep for 3-4 days.

4. Kale Chips- I haven't met anyone who doesn't like these! You may have ambitions to eat kale but don't know how to cook it to taste good. This is a great way to introduce kale into your diet. Trust me on this- they are delicious and SO easy! Click here for my kale chip recipe.

5. Trail-mix- Make your own with raw nuts and seeds and dried berries. Try including walnuts in your mix for an essential fatty acid boost.

6. Baked Goods with Veggies in them: Everyone likes a good muffin...but if you are watching your waist-line or adhering to a lower-carb paleo diet, you can still enjoy these using protein-packed almond flour. Almond flour is one of my favorite flours to bake with because it is full of satisfying protein and heart-healthy fat. You can find it at a health food store. Consider doubling the recipe and store extras in the freezer. Here are some yummy recipes.

7. Hummus- You can't go wrong with hummus. It is made with protein-packed tahini and chickpeas. Dip carrots, snap-peas, celery or rice crackers for a delicious and nutritious snack.

8. Hard-boiled Eggs- Full of essential amino acids, this snack is a protein power-house. Boil eggs for 9-10 minutes. Consider boiling 1/2 a dozen at a time to have plenty for the week. Always opt for organic eggs. Here is why.