ASK MR. VITAMIN

40 QUICK HEALTHY SNACKS....

1. Nuts
2. Trail mix: Mix dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and a handful of real dark chocolate chips
3. Fresh fruit: Whatever deliciousness is in season – our selection this week is apples, oranges, and strawberries
4. Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried berries, dried apple slices
5. Salad: If your veggies are pre-washed you can put this together very quickly. As well, salad can be preassembled. Simply add protein and dressing at serving time.
6. Veggies: carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, celery, peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes
7. Steamed veggies: Top them with cheese or chopped hard-boiled eggs
8. Eggs: Nature’s fastest protein – boil, scramble, poach or fry – eggs make a great topper for other “fast foods”
9. Yogurt Parfait: Top your homemade yogurt with fruit and granola
10. Leftovers
11. Cheese: Opt for a healthy version without additives and artificial colors
12. Smoothies: Throw fruits, veggies, yogurt and your milk of choice into the blender. Add a little pure vanilla and some honey. We like to freeze fruit for this purpose to make a rich thick shake.
13. Homemade granola cookies: Recipe HERE (you can make them into granola bar shapes if you want to)
14. No-bake haystack cookies: Recipe HERE
15. Hummus: Serve the dip with veggie sticks, homemade crackers, or tortillas : Try topping it with homemade granola and vanilla yogurt for a quick no-cook “apple crisp”
16. Chocolate Milk: Directions HERE
17. Apples with natural peanut butter
18. Frozen Yogurt Berries: Toss well-washed berries in homemade vanilla yogurt. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours for a cold, healthy treat
19. Popcorn
20. Edamame
21. Pancakes or Waffles: Top with fruit for a nutrition boost
22. Couscous: This speedy grain only requires the addition of boiling water or broth. Let it sit for 5 minutes, covered, and you have an instant hearty side dish. Add some steamed veggies and lean protein to turn it into a one dish meal
23. Cottage cheese: Top homemade cottage cheese with fresh fruit
24. Home-canned food: Meals like chili, soup, and spaghetti sauce can be pressure canned at home for a delicious healthy “fast food meal”
25. Fruit Salad: Top it with nuts and a honey-sweetened yogurt for a protein boost
26. Dill Pickles: Home-canned, of course
27. Ants-on-a-log: Celery sticks stuffed with natural peanut butter then topped with raisins
28. Quick Greek Salad: Chopped cucumber, peppers and cherry tomatoes with feta cheese and vinaigrette
29. Homemade Fruitsicles: Puree fruit that is overripe, then freeze it in popsicle forms – strawberry-banana is a favorite combo here
30. Guacamole
31. Savory snack mix: Popcorn and nuts sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and spices
32. Tzatziki: This yummy Greek garlic and yogurt dip is a satisfying snack with homemade crackers or veggies
33. Medjool dates and almonds
34. Frozen grapes
35. Homemade gazpacho: Puree tomatoes, peppers, onions, jalapenos, and other seasonal veggies. Keep in the fridge and serve cold.
36. Quick Banana Nut Cookies: Mash 2 overripe bananas well. Stir in 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
37. Latte: Make a delicious latte with a homemade creamer
38. Mexican Black Bean Salad: (you can use a can of rinsed organic black beans or beans that you cooked yourself previously) 1 cup of black beans, 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup of chopped bell peppers, some fresh cilantro, and lemon juice
39. Green Apple Salad: Chopped green apple, red grapes, and walnuts sprinkled with a dressing made from honey, lemon juice and cinnamon
40. Avocado with sunflower seeds sprinkled on top.

Compiled and written by Daisy Luther.

AMV