80/20 Health Nut: snacks

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

No Bake Energy Bites

In our house, these little gems are known as "Bird Seed Balls" and they don't last long! They are sooo yummy and though I'm not sure how much energy they give me, I do know they satisfy my sweet tooth while adding a bit more nutrition than a Reese cup would. They've quickly become my favorite Pinterest find yet.

You will need:

1 cup of old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup of a nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.)
1/3 cup of honey
1 cup of coconut flakes
1/2 cup of ground flaxseed
1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips
1 tsp of vanilla

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly and let chill in the refrigerator for about a half hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! These can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a week, if they last that long!

*We aren't big on coconut around here, so we omit it and add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. The recipe seems versatile. Play with it, make it your own :)

Sunday, November 14, 2010

100 Calorie Snacks

All numbers are approximate, but this really shows you how quickly 100 calories adds up.

Salty Snacks around 100 calories
11 french fries - 105 calories
3 cups air popped popcorn - 93 calories
1 large piece of beef jerky - 82 calories
11 Stacy's Simply Naked pita chips - 104 calories
1/2 cup boiled peanuts - 100 calories

Sweet Snacks around 100 calories
2 oreos - 107 calories
1 Rice Crispies Treat - 90 calories
1 cup applesauce - 102 calories
2 medium sized chocolate chip cookies - 96 calories
10 Junior Mints - 106 calories

Healthy Snacks around 100 calories
1 cup grapes - 104 calories
1 medium sized banana - 105 calories
1 medium sized apple - 95 calories
3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt - 90 calories
1/2 cup edamame - 95 calories

Sinful Snacks around 100 calories
1/3 cup chocolate ice cream - 95 calories
1 fun sized butterfinger - 100 calories
3 Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies - 112 calories
1/2 glazed cake donut - 96 calories
1/2 bag plain M&M's - 115 calories (No, not the family sized bag!)

Cheesy Snacks around 100 calories
3/4 ounce Nacho Cheese Doritos - 90 calories
2/3 ounce Cheetos - 107 calories
1/2 slice Pizza Hut thin crust cheese pizza
1 fried mozzarella stick - 102 calories
40 Goldfish crackers - 102 calories

healthy tips

1. Instead of buying expensive vitamin waters, make your own. Fill your favorite 32 oz. cup with ice, an inch or so of pure 100% cranberry juice, a handful of the frozen fruit of your choice, and top with water. Delish and nutrish!

2. Never skip breakfast! Your body has been fasting all night. Skipping breakfast will destroy your metabolism. Best thing to eat for digestive purposes: fresh, in season fruit.

3. If you are trying to change a habit, say you'd like to stop drinking soda, post a memo on your fridge and update it every day. It could say "Days since I have had soda...7" or some such statement. Updating it daily, in full view of others, and seeing your progress is very motivational!

4. When baking, instead of using the called-for amount of oil, replace with applesauce in the same amount. I've also successfully replaced oil with sweet potato puree, canned pumpkin, and butternut squash puree. It doesn't affect the baking, but adds a bit of nutrition.

5. Chew thoroughly! The more you chew, the slower you will eat, the more digestive enzymes your body will secrete, the less stress on your digestive organs, the more nutrients you will absorb from your food, the more easily you eliminate.

6. "Before you walk into a restaurant, a grocery store, or even your own kitchen, PAUSE, take a deep breath, and connect with the intention to select only foods that serve you." Terry Walters, author of Clean Food.