5 Healthy Afternoon Snacks You’ll Love
Guest Post by Cassie Mendoza-Jones – naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist. Our appetite can fluctuate throughout the day and with this, our blood sugar levels too. So, I'm going to give you some of my fave afternoon snack ideas. Some people crave sugar right after a meal (usually lunch and/or dinner) and some people are fine until about 3-4pm when they reach for a double-shot latte, a chai latte (always get the loose-leaf tea please, not the powdered latte muck!) or a Mars Bars. Not a Mars person? Ok a Twix then? Nooo!!! Eat these delicious options instead :) your hormones/mood/energy/concentration can thank me later...
1. Nut Butter
1 tbsp almond, ABC (almond, brazil and cashew nut) or natural peanut butter spread on an apple, pear or 2-3 corn thins with cinnamon.Nut butters are excellent sources of protein, good carbs, good fats and fibre. Fruit or corn thins make a nice crunchy, gluten-free snack and cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar levels and curb sugar cravings. You should be able to find nut butters in the health food aisle of all major supermarkets plus in health food stores of course. Buy them here if you can't find them in-store though.
2. Hard Cheese with Apple
20-30g organic hard cheese with an apple (Barambah Organics cheddar is the best!)I love a little bit of organic, full-fat dairy some days, especially good if you're craving something salty or fatty (usually a sign you need some more good fats anyway!)Organic dairy is high in vitamins A and D and a good source of protein. It's best avoided if you suffer from acne though!
3. Boiled Egg with Veges
1 boiled egg with some crunchy cut up veges like capsicum, carrots or celery and 1-2 tsp of tahini or 1 tbsp hummousI love eggs! But you guys probably already know that. The egg provides essential amino acids (proteins), fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals. The veges provide fibre and nutrients and the tahini provides calcium and zinc. If you're allergic to nuts or just prefer hummous, it provides some protein and carbohydrate plus a little good fat. Be sure to buy one without tahini if you're allergic to sesame seeds or make your own at home.
4. Yoghurt and Berries
3 tbsp natural yoghurt (again, I lurve Barambah Organics) with 3 tbsp organic berries or half a grated pear or apple plus some shredded coconut, 1 tbsp nuts or seeds of choice and cinnamonThis could be my all-time fave snack. I love a little bit of good yoghurt with some berries and I love nuts and seeds. And cinnamon. I love cinnamon. I couldn't be happier than with this and a big mug of licorice or nettle tea. Heavennnnnnnnn.
5. A homemade protein smoothie
I make mine with either the grass-fed whey 180 Nutrition protein powder (an amazing, natural superfood protein powder which means you don't need to add much else as it's so packed-full of nutrients!) or Vital pea protein in vanilla. I blend it up with some water, almond milk, frozen berries or banana (or half/half), a dollop of natural yoghurt and then if I'm using the Vital protein I add some LSA (linseed, sunflower seeds and almond meal) and/or a small handful of cashews, maybe 1 pitted date (they're very high in sugar so this is a treat only!) and again... some cinamon. This also makes a great breakfast or even a good lunch if you're incredibly busy.
About Cassie
Cassie Mendoza-Jones is a dedicated, caring and passionate naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist who believes in the healing power of nature. She has particular interests in stress, exhaustion and adrenal fatigue, anxiety and depression, disordered eating, weight loss and digestive disorders as well as hormonal imbalances and women’s health issues. Cassie is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals of health, balance and wellbeing through nutritional and herbal treatment, education and motivation. You can visit her website, find her on Facebook or Twitter, or read some of her previous blog posts.