How does it make you feel when somebody tells you, you don’t eat enough, or how can you eat so much!? Does it make you feel like you want to curl up in the fetal position and pick at the carpet in the corner of the room? Yeah, well that’s how it makes me feel. Part of me wants to scream It’s none of your damn business! And the other part of me wants to whimper if only you knew how much I have struggled with intuitive eating over the years… then you’d leave me alone. ::::sigh::::
I feel like I have finally come to a fairly decent “happy place.” A place where I can listen to my body and give it what it wants, when it wants it. But with that said, nobody is perfect. Since I follow a plant-based diet, a lot of the foods I eat are high in fiber and nutrients, but lower in calories. That is great for somebody on a weight loss plan, but for weight maintenance, I really have to make sure I am eating several times a day and getting a good balance of protein, fats, complex carbs, fiber and nutrients. I’ve noticed when I am crazy busy with work and school my meals tend to be smaller and rushed. In the long run this stresses me out both mentally and physically, so it’s something I’m working on improving. So I’ve started to introduce myself to snacking. I know it sounds silly but it’s something I never used to do. I actually grew up kind of old school where I was told don’t snack, it will spoil your dinner!
So with all of that said, don’t judge how much I eat during the day by my #WIAW posts. I hardly ever include everything, and usually have a few snacks and a late night dessert that I may not post. Fueling my body several times a day keeps my mind and my tummy happiest, so that’s what I try to do! So what are some easy, healthy and nutritious vegan snack foods that I grab on the run? Here’s an idea…
So Delicious Coconut cultures with chopped fruit
Carrots, cukes and hummus
Larabars, Pure Bars and Raw Revolution bars
Easy make n’ take salads like:
Cold Bean Salad
Siesta Lentil Salad
Sesame Ginger Kale Salad
Chic Pea “Chickn” Salad
Smoothies! I’m notorious in my house for blending something up and bottling it up. I use frozen fruits to keep it cold for the drive to work or class. Sometimes I’ll even keep a banana, almond milk, cinnamon, hemp protein and peanut butter smoothie in the fridge at work. It stays cold and doesn’t separate. And of course I’m partial to my green ones!
I also keep these sweet lil dessert balls on hand constantly. They are actually packed full of protein, nutrients and healthy fats–and are perfect for warding off hunger or satisfying a sweet tooth! There are tons of recipes all over the blogosphere; here is one that I often make . But you can make them with whatever combination of ingredients you have on hand, like: nut butters, dates, raisins, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, nuts, sesame seeds, tahini paste, pretzel pieces, dark chocolate chips, protein powders and so much more! Put everything into a food processor and blend away! Roll the dough into balls then roll them in coconut, sunflower or sesame seeds to keep them from being sticky. Pop them in the fridge or freezer to keep fresh.
Perfect lil snack foods! And of course there is my all time favorite. Fruit! But I already told ya’ll about that obsession !
And pretty much anything slathered in nut butter. My favorites? Cashew, almond and peanut butter. In that order. Today. Tomorrow it might be walnut, peanut then almond. Who knows? 
I’m also a huge fan of dried fruit and trail mix. It’s perfect to keep in my purse or book bag for when hunger sneaks up on me and I have another hour or two of my business law professor’s monotone rantings to listen to. heh. Jk. I actually love that class!
So there you have it. Just a peak at some of my favorite snack foods. As you can see I stick to pretty healthy snacks, but don’t let this fool you, they are all still pretty seriously yummy. Trust me. If you are on a weight loss plan and having trouble giving up snacking, try trading in any processed foods or junk food snacks for something a bit healthier. Keep your portions small–remember a snack should really be under 200 calories if you are eating 3 adequate meals during the day. But whatever you do, don’t grab one of those nasty 100 calorie sugar-laiden-full-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup-and-preservatives snack packs. Puh-lease pick something else!
Do you snack? What are your favorite healthy snack foods?
Ohhhh guess what I did today!? I treated myself to a facial!! I used a special groupon that I got a few months back and finally decided to take advantage of. Oh my goodness I was in heaven. I try to get one at least twice a year to keep my skin healthy and fresh, and for the deep cleansing benefits. Love them!
How does it make you feel when somebody tells you, you don’t eat enough, or how can you eat so much!? Does it make you feel like you want to curl up in the fetal position and pick at the carpet in the corner of the room? Yeah, well that’s how it makes me feel. Part of me wants to scream It’s none of your damn business! And the other part of me wants to whimper if only you knew how much I have struggled with intuitive eating over the years… then you’d leave me alone. ::::sigh::::
I feel like I have finally come to a fairly decent “happy place.” A place where I can listen to my body and give it what it wants, when it wants it. But with that said, nobody is perfect. Since I follow a plant-based diet, a lot of the foods I eat are high in fiber and nutrients, but lower in calories. That is great for somebody on a weight loss plan, but for weight maintenance, I really have to make sure I am eating several times a day and getting a good balance of protein, fats, complex carbs, fiber and nutrients. I’ve noticed when I am crazy busy with work and school my meals tend to be smaller and rushed. In the long run this stresses me out both mentally and physically, so it’s something I’m working on improving. So I’ve started to introduce myself to snacking. I know it sounds silly but it’s something I never used to do. I actually grew up kind of old school where I was told don’t snack, it will spoil your dinner!
So with all of that said, don’t judge how much I eat during the day by my #WIAW posts. I hardly ever include everything, and usually have a few snacks and a late night dessert that I may not post. Fueling my body several times a day keeps my mind and my tummy happiest, so that’s what I try to do! So what are some easy, healthy and nutritious vegan snack foods that I grab on the run? Here’s an idea…
So Delicious Coconut cultures with chopped fruit
Larabars, Pure Bars and Raw Revolution bars
Easy make n’ take salads like:
Siesta Lentil SaladSmoothies! I’m notorious in my house for blending something up and bottling it up. I use frozen fruits to keep it cold for the drive to work or class. Sometimes I’ll even keep a banana, almond milk, cinnamon, hemp protein and peanut butter smoothie in the fridge at work. It stays cold and doesn’t separate. And of course I’m partial to my green ones!
I also keep these sweet lil dessert balls on hand constantly. They are actually packed full of protein, nutrients and healthy fats–and are perfect for warding off hunger or satisfying a sweet tooth! There are tons of recipes all over the blogosphere; here is one that I often make . But you can make them with whatever combination of ingredients you have on hand, like: nut butters, dates, raisins, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, nuts, sesame seeds, tahini paste, pretzel pieces, dark chocolate chips, protein powders and so much more! Put everything into a food processor and blend away! Roll the dough into balls then roll them in coconut, sunflower or sesame seeds to keep them from being sticky. Pop them in the fridge or freezer to keep fresh.
Perfect lil snack foods! And of course there is my all time favorite. Fruit! But I already told ya’ll about that obsession !
So there you have it. Just a peak at some of my favorite snack foods. As you can see I stick to pretty healthy snacks, but don’t let this fool you, they are all still pretty seriously yummy. Trust me. If you are on a weight loss plan and having trouble giving up snacking, try trading in any processed foods or junk food snacks for something a bit healthier. Keep your portions small–remember a snack should really be under 200 calories if you are eating 3 adequate meals during the day. But whatever you do, don’t grab one of those nasty 100 calorie sugar-laiden-full-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup-and-preservatives snack packs. Puh-lease pick something else!
Do you snack? What are your favorite healthy snack foods?
Ohhhh guess what I did today!? I treated myself to a facial!! I used a special groupon that I got a few months back and finally decided to take advantage of. Oh my goodness I was in heaven. I try to get one at least twice a year to keep my skin healthy and fresh, and for the deep cleansing benefits. Love them!