Smart Back-to-School Snacks
I’ve been talking A LOT lately about snacking.
Why? Because snacking activates your metabolism and sets it on fire! “So, I can consistently snack AND lose weight?” my clients ask. And yes, yes, and more yes! As we send our kids back to school, time is all the more precious. Life is never-ending, it seems. Snacking is so important to the kids and me because it keeps us satisfied and energized when life is at its busiest. One of my favorite snacks – JERKY!
Jerky is the perfect on-the-go snack for kids — and for you in Phase 2!
Here are a few of my other favorite snacks on the go!
Almond Butter-Stuffed Celery
Almond butter is the PERFECT snack because it seems like it goes on so many of our favorite snack foods!
PHASE 3 | Serves 1
2 celery stalks
2 tablespoons almond butter
Coconut flakes or carob chips (optional)
Wash and clean the celery stalks. Cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Fill the celery pieces with the almond butter. Sprinkle with coconut flakes and/or carob chips.
Try these phase-specific fruits and vegetables too:
Phase 1
Go to town on some of your favorite fruits like frozen mangos and pineapples, apples, oranges, peaches, and pears. I bet you can still find a good, juicy watermelon in season too, and it’s perfect for a Phase 1 snack!
Phase 2
Fruit is a no-no in Phase 2, but this a great time for a great big ‘ol salad with kale, mustard green, collard greens, Swiss chard, arugula, watercress or lettuce of all kinds. Need other snack ideas? In Phase 2, pack up some turkey jerky or hard-boiled egg whites.
Phase 3
For a Phase 3 snack, try ¼ cup hummus and cucumber. (See my gourmet recipe below!) Or, try celery and almond butter. For a quick snack on the go, pack up containers of raw nuts or seeds – kids love them as much as you will.
Sweet Potato Hummus and Cucumbers
2 16-ounce cans chickpeas, drained, reserving 1/3 cup liquid
½ cooked sweet potato
½ cup tahini
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
½ garlic clove
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
6 cups sliced cucumbers
Using a food processor or blender, blend all ingredients except cucumbers until smooth.
Serve each serving of hummus with 1 cup of sliced cucumbers.
I’ve been talking A LOT lately about snacking.
Why? Because snacking activates your metabolism and sets it on fire! “So, I can consistently snack AND lose weight?” my clients ask. And yes, yes, and more yes! As we send our kids back to school, time is all the more precious. Life is never-ending, it seems. Snacking is so important to the kids and me because it keeps us satisfied and energized when life is at its busiest. One of my favorite snacks – JERKY!
Jerky is the perfect on-the-go snack for kids — and for you in Phase 2!
Here are a few of my other favorite snacks on the go!
Almond Butter-Stuffed Celery
Almond butter is the PERFECT snack because it seems like it goes on so many of our favorite snack foods!
PHASE 3 | Serves 1
2 celery stalks
2 tablespoons almond butter
Coconut flakes or carob chips (optional)
Wash and clean the celery stalks. Cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Fill the celery pieces with the almond butter. Sprinkle with coconut flakes and/or carob chips.
Try these phase-specific fruits and vegetables too:
Phase 1
Go to town on some of your favorite fruits like frozen mangos and pineapples, apples, oranges, peaches, and pears. I bet you can still find a good, juicy watermelon in season too, and it’s perfect for a Phase 1 snack!
Phase 2
Fruit is a no-no in Phase 2, but this a great time for a great big ‘ol salad with kale, mustard green, collard greens, Swiss chard, arugula, watercress or lettuce of all kinds. Need other snack ideas? In Phase 2, pack up some turkey jerky or hard-boiled egg whites.
Phase 3
For a Phase 3 snack, try ¼ cup hummus and cucumber. (See my gourmet recipe below!) Or, try celery and almond butter. For a quick snack on the go, pack up containers of raw nuts or seeds – kids love them as much as you will.
Sweet Potato Hummus and Cucumbers
2 16-ounce cans chickpeas, drained, reserving 1/3 cup liquid
½ cooked sweet potato
½ cup tahini
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
½ garlic clove
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
6 cups sliced cucumbers
Using a food processor or blender, blend all ingredients except cucumbers until smooth.
Serve each serving of hummus with 1 cup of sliced cucumbers.
