10 Healthy Snack Ideas

Hi All,

This week is all about nutrition and a major part of that is healthy snacking. Yes, I know, healthy and snack are two words that should never be seen together. But so are heart & attack. Plus, eating healthy doesn't have to be what I call B squared, Boring & Bland. So here are 10 yummy snack ideas with recipes.


1. Peas - We put this on here simply because we love the peas. The best part, they don't even need anything. Nature's goodness wrapped in a little present of joy.  I could snack on these all day long.

2. Smoothies - in all their assorted glory.

Power smoothie.  We make this every morning for breakfast. But it could be a healthy mid-afternoon snack. Particularly good on a hot day.

• 1 Banana
• 1 handful of fresh spinach
• 1 cup of frozen berries [blueberries are our favorite]
• 2-4 cups of Almond Milk [depending on how much smoothie you want]
• Directions: Combine all ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth.   

Coconut Strawberry Smoothie. Coconut is awesome. You can eat it, drink it, cook with it, use it for a bra, and even use the oil for everything from frying to skin care. It is basically the polymath of the food world.

• 1 cup frozen fresh strawberries [is frozen fresh an oxymoron?]
• 1/2 cup frozen fresh mango 
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• Little pinch of salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1 tbsp of extra virgin coconut oil [can omit if you like]
• 1 organic raw egg [for frothiness and protein. If you don't like raw egg just omit]
• Directions: Blend all ingredients except the coconut oil and raw egg. Blend till smooth and creamy. Then add coconut oil. And finally add the raw egg and mix till blended. Don't over blend the egg. Pour in a tall glass [not a plastic cup] sit back and enjoy. If you are daring and bold sprinkle a little unsweetened toasted coconut flakes on top. 

Simple Coconut Fruit Smoothie [yes, we like smoothies]

• 1 can of coconut cream or milk
• 1 cup of frozen fruit of choice
• Directions: Blend. Drink. Relax. To mix it up add other ingredients, cinnamon, vanilla, unsweetened coco powder.

3. Cauliflower Popcorn - We got this from the NY Times. I know,  the NY Times right? They  have awesome little nuggets now and again. 

• 1 head of cauliflower 
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Sea salt or to taste 
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste



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Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Crosscut across head of cauliflower to make thin slices. Parts will crumble off. It's ok. Lay the thin slices and crumbled bits on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until tender and starting to brown. About 30 minutes. Take out, put in bowl. Sit down and enjoy a good movie with a healthy snack.

4. Dark chocolate almond cherry clusters - Protein, antioxidants, and a bit of sweetness all in one.  Say  what?  Say yum.

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5. Cashew cluster with almonds and pumpkin seeds - another Kirkland brand, Costco shout out.

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6. Chobani yogurt - Full of that protein-pick-me-up you need to combat that "2:30 feeling."

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7. Apple + peanut butter/almond butter - This is the go-to after school snack for our kids.  Protein and fiber, a great combo to keep you full.

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8. Hummus + carrot sticks - This brand and flavor of hummus is the best we have found since leaving Portland.  Portland is the land of great hummus. And hippies. Which might be why they have great hummus. I wonder what they put in that hummus to make so good...so addicting. Anyway, hummus is great with carrots or other veggies.  Costco carries it and if you go through a large container quickly, that is the place to get it.  But if you don't go through a huge container of it fast enough most regular grocery stores carry it as well. Also, make sure to check you local farmer's market. You'll probably find some great hummus plus you will be supporting a local farmer/hummus maker.

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9. A Lara Bar - These bars are fantastic.  Most of them consist of only fruit and nuts with no sugar added, and they have a good amount of protein.  And then of course there are the more rich ones that do have sugar added, and those are always the ones that our 5 year old always wants to buy.  They can be a little pricey at  $1.39 each, but our grocery store often has them on sale.  

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10. Banana "ice cream" - Our 2 year old does not play well with most dairy products so I discovered that this was possible when doing research about ice cream alternatives.  You start by chopping up a few peeled bananas and putting them in the freezer for a few hours.  Once they have a good freeze on them put them in a food processor or heavy duty blender with just a sprinkle of almond  milk and it turns into a creamy dream.  It is very tasty without anything else but it is also delicious with some peanut or almond butter added, and is more of a dessert with some hazlenut spread added once you have pureed the banana.  Do you have any other suggestions out there for what could be added to this to make it even more amazing?

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BONUS: Water!  Sometimes hunger can be confused for thirst.  Before you go for any snack make sure you are getting enough water.  How much is enough?   You'll know because you won't be thirsty.

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Now that we have shared some of our favorite healthy snacks with you we would love for you to share yours by making a comment below!