One of the most important things you can do to ensure you stay “on the wagon” is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.
It might sound like a pain, but it is vital.
If you don’t have a plan then it’s easy to just eat whatever is in the house, whatever sounds good, whatever is quick and easy (not necessarily healthy), etc.
I love the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Very true.
So, I usually either make a weekly, biweekly, monthly menu or…. I wake up in the morning and think, “What am I going to eat for breakfast?” Then as I’m eating breakfast, I think, “What am I going to eat for a snack or lunch, etc?” Then while I’m eating snack/lunch, I think, “What am I going to eat for dinner?” You get the point. However, this only works if you already have plenty of healthy, convenient foods in your home.
So, I thought I would share some of my favorite quick, easy and healthy snacks. Btw, a lot of the health theories I subscribe to advise you to always combine a healthy protein and a healthy carb at every meal/snack. Some sources even suggest combining a healthy protein, carb and fat at every meal. To keep it simple, I make sure I at least always combine a protein and a carb. So, here are some of my favs…
A banana with almond butter or natural peanut butter:
I am LOVIN’ this one right now. In fact, I’ve had it almost every day recently. I usually just eat 1/2 a banana and then if I want the other 1/2 later in the day, I eat it again. I try not to eat too much peanut/almond butter because it packs a huge caloric punch! I just spoon out a small portion in a bowl (maybe a Tablespoon or so) and then use a spoon to just smear some peanut/almond butter on each bite! YUM!
K, here’s the 411 about peanut/almond butter. Really, any kind will do, BUT….if you really want it to be healthy I would highly encourage you to seek an all natural version. You can find them anywhere (Walmart, Costco, any grocery store, etc.) Skippy and Jif even offer natural versions of their products. The major difference is that natural nut butters do not contain any hydrogenated oils (which are terrible for you).
This MaraNatha Almond Butter is very good. I just bought it at Costco.
The other peanut butter in the smaller container is the bomb! I’m sure it’s not new to some of you, but it’s new to me! Kev and I found this at Winco, but I’m sure you could find it in other healthy grocery stores. Anyway, in the back of the store they have a bin of almonds and one of peanuts. You take a little handy dandy container, put it under the bin of nuts, press start, and voila, you have peanut/almond butter! It crushes the nuts and makes it fresh right there on the spot! Awesome! You don’t get any more natural than that!
I must mention, however, that natural nut butters are not as sweet as regular versions. You also have to stir them occasionally because the oils separate, but they are really really yummy!
An apple (or any fruit) with string cheese:
This is such a simple snack. You can pair the cheese with any fruit. I usually only eat 1/2 of the fruit. Any string cheese will do, but this one made by Sargento is very good. My (very healthy) cute friend told me this was her favorite brand of light string cheese. I decided to try it and it IS very very yummy and only 50 calories! Regular string cheese is about 80 calories. I must say this snack doesn’t fill me up for very long, however. It is very low calorie though.
I must also mention that some “super duper health nut” people don’t like string cheese because it is processed. I really don’t care….I think the convenience, low calories and easy protein source make up for that! 😉
Hard boiled eggs with grapes (or any fruit):
This is really fast and convenient especially if you hard boil a bunch of eggs at once. I try to have a little stash in the fridge. I usually eat one whole egg and two egg whites or just the egg whites. Super easy, yummy, and filling!
Well that is all for now.
I want to mention that I am such a crazy crazy busy busy mom! I will do my best to blog as often as possible and answer questions as quickly as possible, but just remember that I am a crazy crazy busy busy mom…oh and wife! They are obviously my first priority. 🙂
mel!! thanks so much for these ideas! i’m feeling very motivated to be good and get back to the old me, you are such an inspiration and i love you! keep the posts coming sweetie! i need it. 🙂
Kristen, I’m so glad you like my little blog! You are a freakin’ amazing wonder woman because you look like a ROCK STAR after having triplets!! You are such an inspiration to ME! I love you so much!