Being a mom is a busy enough job as it is, but when you add a working life and career to the mix, things can start to get hectic indeed. With so much to do, it can be tough going to keep everyone in the family fueled up with nutritious foods.
Cutting corners to save time on food preparation can often involve making convenient but unhealthy snack choices, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We’re here to tell you that convenient doesn’t have to mean unhealthy or even time-consuming. Use these five super healthy snacks on the go ideas to keep you and your family charged up for the whole day.
Trail Mix
A well-proportioned trail mix is one of those easy, healthy snacks which provides lasting energy and even gives you an excellent excuse to indulge in a little bit of dark chocolate as well. Dark chocolate and its antioxidants make great combinations when thrown into a trail mix with healthy portions of fiber and protein. You will have a well-balanced snack for a slow-burn of energy that will keep everyone perked up for a most of the day.
You can use your imagination but here’s a mix you can use as a starting point. Combine almonds, dried cherries, and dark chocolate chips (or M & Ms). Add a pinch of cinnamon and dash of sea salt. Other nuts are good too depending on what you like, so experiment with cashews, brazil nuts (good for selenium), dried fruits – dried mango is sweet and delicious – coconut flakes and banana chips.
Remember, a trail mix is packed full of energy, so a small handful is all you need to top up the fuel tank.
Snack Sized Bags of Healthy Cereals
There are plenty of cereals available which are healthy options for breakfast but throw some into a snack sized bag, and you have any number of easy, healthy snacks ready to go at a moment’s notice. Choose cereals which are high in vitamins, minerals, folic acid, and low in sugar. Whole grain foods will provide the most health benefits, while also giving you that much needed slow release of energy.
Savory Muffins
Sometimes you want something that’s savory instead of sweet. In these situations, a savory muffin is an easy snack everybody can enjoy at any time of the day without adding any unnecessary calories. Plus, the kids will love them as well. Zucchini muffins are a favorite recipe you can easily find online, but there are plenty of variations you can try to find a taste that’s right for you.
Rice Cakes and Topping
Rice cakes are an easy option that is completely fat-free, and low in calories. They are little weak in the vitamins and minerals department but that’s where the toppings come in, and your imagination is the only limit. Try combinations of avocado, chicken, cream cheese, pesto, or tomato with a sprinkle of basil. Peanut or almond butter also goes well with bananas or strawberries, or both.
Air Popped Popcorn
The popcorn you get at the cinemas is junk food covered in unhealthy fats, and the microwave popcorn isn’t much better, but if you make your own popcorn in a hot air popper then you have yourself a healthy snack.
Plain air-popped popcorn can be a little bland, but you do have some flavoring options. Sprinkle a little olive oil with Parmesan cheese for a savory delight or add a dash of chili and some sea salt for a bit of spice.
With just a few simple ingredients and a couple of spare minutes, every busy mom will have plenty of healthy snacks on the go options ready to pop into lunch boxes quick as a flash.