Snack foods get a bad rap sometimes.
Because while grabbing a candy bar or a couple of donuts in between meals definitely isn’t going to help you meet your health and fitness goals, healthy snacking in between meals is important for athletes and active people to keep their energy up and their workouts on point.
Because food is fuel for your body, and keeping your body nourished throughout the day will help you power through your day—and your workouts.
Here are 5 healthy snacks to fuel your life and your workouts, brought to you by Orchard Valley Harvest:
Trail Mix
No, trail mix that’s 90% M&Ms isn’t the best go-to snack if you’re trying to stay lean, but trail mix can be a healthy option.
The best trail mixes are packed with a variety of nuts to keep you full and just a little sweetness (ideally from fruit) to keep you energized and curb your sweet tooth.
My current favorite trail mixes are the Omega-3 Mix (walnuts, dried sweetened cranberries and blueberries, almonds and pistachios) and Antioxidant Mix (roasted almonds, dried lightly sweetened cranberries, blueberries, roasted cashews and pepitas) packs from Orchard Valley Harvest.
Both options come in perfectly portioned one-ounce 150 calorie packs so you can bring them with you anywhere.
Both are awesome snack options for anytime you need a boost during a hike, bike ride, or just as a pick me up between meals.
Veggies + Hummus
With the healthy carbs from the chickpeas and healthy fats from the tahini (ground sesame seeds) and olive oil in hummus, pair it with fresh veggies and this is an awesome afternoon snack.
Just try and be aware of portions and avoid eating the entire hummus container 🙂
Yogurt (or Cottage Cheese) + Berries
Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with berries and maybe some coconut chips or low sugar granola for crunch has been a longtime favorite snack of mine.
It’s quick and easy to make, high in protein, and helps to satisfy your sweet tooth when you might otherwise have reached for something less healthy. And if you’re vegan or avoiding dairy, coconut yogurt has gotten pretty good these days!
Apple + Nut Butter
An apple or banana with your favorite nut butter (I tend to rotate between peanut and almond butter) is an easy, super quick snack that’s easy to bring with you or even leave at your desk for anytime you inevitably get hungry at work or school.
Because of the sweet/salty mixture, it also makes for a great post-dinner snack if you’re still feeling hungry but don’t want to make anything too time consuming (I do this a lot!).
Hard Boiled Eggs + Piece of Fruit
Hard boiled eggs are one of the easiest, hassle-free snacks that are also packed with protein and healthy fats.
Make a bunch at the beginning of the week and have snacks on hand for the entire week ahead. Pair a couple with a piece of fruit like an apple, orange, or banana and you have a super easy, perfectly balanced macros snack.
No Excuses!
There’s no doubt that it’s harder to eat healthier when you’re constantly on the go and can’t spend a lot of time making your own snacks and meals every single day.
But with just a little planning, it is possible to choose healthy snacks that will fuel and nourish your body.
Because food is fuel, and the right snack will help you crush both your day and your workouts.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Orchard Valley Harvest. The opinions and text are all mine.