Do you have a busy schedule, or you just can’t be bothered to prepare a meal three times a day (and prepare snacks)? If so, meal planning is your answer! Meal prep is excellent since you can learn about portion control, eat healthily, save time and money, and avoid wasting food!
Trying to stay fit, lose weight, and earn muscle doesn’t mean that you have to give up on snacks. Many people can’t live without snacks, and if you’re one of them, luckily for you, there are numerous delicious and healthy alternatives you can try out.
Protein Bars;
Don’t have time to prepare a snack? Then, consider eating an already-packaged bar made with oats, chocolates, raisins, etc. This snack is a great way to get enough “protein” daily. Protein bar snacks are readily available in the market nowadays, even at online stores.
Many bars sold on the market nowadays taste like candy. There are even innovative bars that are made of meat, that’s perfect for muscle-building gym-goers. Be sure to check the label of the bars you choose and if it has the ingredients you need for your gym needs, like casein, whey, plant protein, etc.
Apple Slices With Peanut Butter;
Are you on the lookout for a nutritional and heavenly flavored snack? Well, you’re lucky because apple slices and peanut butter are a match made in heaven! Apples are a fruit that’s rich in fiber. On the other hand, nuts are a plant-based protein with fiber and healthy fat. When working out at the gym and you’re looking to prepare snacks that are filling and have all the nutrients you need, be sure to pack these with your meals.
Pairing apples with peanut butter gives you a crisp and creamy delight. You can even add a sprinkle of cinnamon for that added flavor boost. This snack is also effortless to prepare! All you have to do is slice some apple slices to pair with peanut butter.
Speaking of peanut butter, you should be careful when choosing one since many store-bought peanut butters contain added oils and sugars. Check the ingredients list and opt for a brand containing peanuts and salt.
Celery Sticks With Cream Cheese;
There are no more great low-carb snacks than the classic celery sticks and cream cheese. It’s a perfect combination and another easy snack to prepare. It can help you feel full, and you can munch on these after a day at the gym.
It enables you to eat a fiber-packed snack that combines the creaminess of the cheese and the crunchy juiciness of celery sticks. You can also pair celery sticks with almond butter or peanut butter if you want to change it a little – it’s a great crunchy and creamy combo. Plus, you already have a tub of peanut butter because of your apple slices snacks!
Mixed Nuts;
Another snack that you won’t have to prepare is mixed nuts! It’s the ideal nutritious snack where you can enjoy a healthy balance of fiber, healthy fats, and protein. It’s tasty, and it has numerous health benefits. It’s also very filling, which is excellent! Be sure to eat it in moderation since it can also be addicting (that’s how tasty it can be).
Nuts like walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts are great options. You won’t have to refrigerate this snack, so it’s the perfect on-the-go item in your lunch box. The optimal portion size is about 1 ounce or 1/4 cup.
Cucumber Slices With Hummus;
If you’re into crunchy textures, then you’ll like this another healthy snack alternative! Cucumber slices paired with hummus are another pairing that’s crunchy and creamy. Hummus is made from tahini, olive oil, garlic, and chickpeas. It’s a plant-based protein, rich in fiber, and it’s a heart-healthy fat.
You can also pair hummus with whole-grain crackers, pretzel sticks, and maybe your leftover celery sticks! You can pair these snacks with every dip, and it’s just as healthy.
Kale Chips;
Kale is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. It’s rapidly becoming a staple in local homes. It’s a member of the cabbage family, and you can do just about anything with it – it can be baked, sauteed, or steamed. It’s added to stir-fries, salads, pasta, stews, and many more.
But let’s talk about how you can make kale as a snack. You can watch, dry, and remove the kale’s stems. After that, drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt. Next, place it on a baking sheet and pan, and bake it in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes (or until it turns crispy and slightly brown).
It’s an easy recipe; after 10 to 15 minutes, you can eat a crunchy and healthy snack. Just be sure to watch them closely!
Final Thoughts;
Snacks can help prevent overeating for the next meal. It helps you stay filled throughout the day, even if you’re trying to cut back on your portions. It gives a great energy boost, and you can get all sorts of extra nutrients throughout the day.