Macro friendly snack ideas from a Registered Dietitian
You get to the middle of the afternoon and it hits you
That urge for a snack. Or a break? Or a nap?
What is it that you need? I want you to ask yourself that question the next time the urge strikes you
Before you reach for the candy bowl or into the pantry, take a minute away from your work. If it's nice - go sit outside and put on a relaxing song and zone out. Or take the dog for a walk. Or press the button on your apple watch/fit bit and do a 2 minute deep breathing session.
Drink a glass of water
And then see if you are hungry, or if you just needed a moment to yourself!
If you are hungry, here are all of my FAVORITE snack ideas to keep you energized for the rest of your day. They all contain great nutrition - and most have a fruit or veggie and protein.
That balance is key!
Healthy snacks for your busy workday, before your workout, or anytime!
1. String Cheese and Baby Carrots
2. Protein Caprese Salad - cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar
3. Greek Yogurt with berries
4. PB2 (powdered peanut butter) mixed with greek yogurt as a dip for fruit
5: Frozen Yogurt Bark
6. Babybell cheese with snap peas
7. Sargento balanced break bowls
8. Jerky - check for added sugars
9. Cottage cheese with pineapple
10. Plain greek yogurt with protein powder
11. Tuna and crunchy veggie like cucumber or bell pepper
12. Meat and Cheese Roll-Up
You can also add scrambled egg to it for a breakfast option
13. Microwavable Tuna Creations from Starkist
These have added grain & veggies Tomato Basil (eaten cold) is my fave
14. Hard Boiled Egg/egg white
Sometimes I do one whole egg and one egg white
15.Oscar Mayer P3 Snack Packs
16. Volpi cheese and meat singles
found at local grocery and Trader Joes
17. Overeasy egg with frozen spinach or green beans
18. Chicken sandwich melt (sandwich bros brand)
19. Cracker stacker lunchable
20. Shrimp cocktail
21. Chicken sausages
22.Hummus and Veggies
23. RX bars
24. Fruit and peanut butter (measure carefully!)
25. Eggwich
Jimmy Deans delights or Red’s brand
26. Oatmeal
Add protein powder & riced cauliflower for protein and veggie!
27. Roasted chickpeas or edamame
28. Frozen grapes
29. Peanut butter and rice cake or celery (make sure to measure the PB!)
30. Baby Carrots
31. Clementines
32. Baba Ganoush (eggplant dip) with Vegetables
33. Snickers Protein Shake
34. Egg Cups or Egg bites
39. Half sandwich, wrap or quesadilla
40. Soup
41. Half bagel with cream cheese, tomato and lox
You can make this higher protein with greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning as your base instead of cream cheese
Hopefully some of these ideas helped you whether you’re looking for a pre-workout snack or something to tide you over while you run your errands. These snacks are great for kids too!
PS: Click here for my taco guide, and here for my road trip tips!
