Happy Monday y’all! I don’t know about you but Mondays can go one of two ways in our house–either I’m super productive and get the week off to a great start, or I slug around all day being super lazy and moaning about having to go back to work. And the crazy thing is that this is usually controlled by…food! Seriously. If I am prepped for the week with meals ready to go I tend to be much happier and more productive from the get go!
Even when I’m super prepared and ready for the week, there’s one area I’m still struggling in when it comes to food. SNACKS. Since I’m breastfeeding, I need a lot more calories than usual so I need high protein, high energy snacks that can get me to the next meal. Being gluten free, this has proved even more challenging because I can’t just grab crackers or toast like I used to.
I decided to ask my Instagram friend Kara for some help with ideas for gluten free quick and easy snacks, and she created this AWESOME blog post for me to share with you! She is a rockstar mama, nutritionist, and exercise coach and I am so excited to introduce you to her! Make sure to follow her on Instagram for lots of drool worthy, healthy meal inspo! Her feed is serious food blogger goals.
Kara is the founder and certified nutrition coach of Life Well Lived, where she shares her passion to educate and empower women how to properly nourish their bodies using whole foods. She is passionate about showing how living a healthy lifestyle can be simple + easy + delicious. Kara is the creator of Transform: Nutrition Bootcamp where she helps clients not only lose weight but live a life well lived.
Snacks. I really think I hear that word a thousand times a day. Is it just my girls that want to eat allll the time? I promise, I feed them. They’re just a bottomless pit these days. So I’m always on the hunt for quick + simple snacks whether I need a snack at home or we’re running out the door and they are screaming for food {they’re a little dramatic}.
It can be so tempting to just grab those sugary granola bars or the fruit snacks. But I promise, there are way better options. Ones that will give you energy + keep your blood sugar levels even.
Below are some of my favorite go-to snacks. These are in our weekly rotation {okay, more like daily!} + most require very little prep. I like to take 5 minutes a week to plan out snacks for the week, whether that means I’m making No Bake Energy Bites or throwing together a simple trail mix. It makes my week go so much smoother when I have snacks prepped and on hand.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed in the snack department, don’t worry. I have lots of easy + no prep snacks that you can seriously grab and go. And bonus: these snacks are both mama + kid approved.
Berry Smoothie Bowl: Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to sneak in greens! Try one of our favorite recipes: Blend 1 cup spinach, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, ¾-1 cup frozen mixed berries + 1 tbs almond butter. Then top with your favorite toppings! Your kids won’t even know they’re eating something healthy.
Hard boiled eggs: Eggs are one of the best sources for protein + an easy way to get protein in quickly after a walk with the kids or for an afternoon boost. All you have to do is boil water + add eggs + cook for 12 minutes + run cold water over them + peel. Store in fridge for up to a week.
Apple Nachos: This is a favorite of ours and often acts as a healthier dessert option. Slice up an apple and spread your favorite nut butter {make sure there aren’t any oils or added sugar!} on the apple slices. Then top with cacao nibs {or chocolate chips} + unsweetened coconut flakes.
Veggie + Nuts: I found that my girls are far more likely to eat veggies if I pair it with something salty. We love carrots + almonds or sugar snap peas + cashews. This is also our go to for a snack before bed: healthy fat + fiber.
Larabar: This is my favorite on the go snack. I always try to make sure we have them on hand so I can throw them in my bag as we head out the door. {Note: If you have younger children please make sure you cut the bars up into pieces, as there can be bigger nut pieces. I do this for Iylee {my 2 year old} to make sure all the big pieces are out.} I love that Larabars have simple + minimal ingredients.
Nick’s Sticks: These are grass fed beef or turkey sticks and I love having them around for a quick protein. I always try to have one in my purse for when I am out and about running errands.
Trail mix: I love making my own trail mix, especially for road trips. This is a great snack to pack if you have after school errands or activities. My favorite mix is raw cashews + raw almonds + chocolate chips + cranberries.
Squarebar: This protein bar is made from all real ingredients + protein to fuel an afternoon of chasing kids. And they taste {almost} like a treat. I like to break them into pieces – it makes for an amazing topping on my smoothies! My favorite is a toss up between the Mint + Cookie Dough. {Oh and bonus, you can get 20% off using code KARA20 at squareorganics.com}
Energy Bites: My girls are obsessed with these. There are a zillion recipes for them and I love that they’re easy to make and so versatile. The possibilities are truly endless. You can be creative and add something or omit something you don’t like. Here is my go-to recipe.
Banana Nice Cream: If you haven’t made banana nice cream, you’re missing out! My girls swoon over this and it’s incredibly easy. Blend a frozen banana with a touch of unsweetened almond milk + nut butter. Top with unsweetened coconut flakes + chocolate chips. If you want something a little fancier try this Oatmeal Cookie Dough Nice Cream recipe.
So whether you need to give your kids their one thousandth snack of the day or you’re hungry yourself, think simple + easy. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. Stock up on these quick + healthy snacks to enjoy at home or on the go. Would love to hear what your favorite go-to snacks are!
