“It’s just potato chips," you think. "How bad can potatoes really be? And Twizzlers are fat free!”
Ah, denial. The reality is that chips are often full of fat and always have loads of chemicals. And the sugar-high from that licorice only leads to a nasty crash afterwards. So, what to do?
Luckily, there are simple, quick, healthful solutions that are both satisfying and good for you.
- Apples and raw almonds. Apples are great for you, totally portable and also can take care of those sugar cravings that plague so many of us in the middle of the day. Pair an apple with a handful of raw almonds (which are easy to transport in a little bag or container), and you’ll have a satisfying snack. The reason to pair them is that almonds, with their protein and fat, help defray any blood sugar spike from the apple. To take that one step further, have a Granny Smith, the least sweet member of the apple family.
- Veggie Sticks and Hummus. Cut up a bunch of your favorite veggies and keep a stash in your fridge. Get a container of your favorite hummus (I like Sabra brand). When you head out for the day, grab a bunch of veggies, toss them in a bag and put some hummus in a container that won’t easily open in your bag. If you want to make it even more healthy, make your own hummus. It’s super simple: throw chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), a little olive oil, lemon and some onion and garlic in the blender until smooth. You can get creative by adding spices and hot sauce. You can never have too many veggies, and the good fats found in hummus make it a complete, tasty snack.
- Lara Bars and Raw Revolution. Raw food bars are an excellent snack choice. Conveniently packaged like a candy bar without all the unhealthy additives, these bars are made from raw fruit and nuts. Raw Revolution is another tasty brand, and their Chocolate Raspberry bars can satisfy even the most devoted chocoholic. Again, the almonds helps defray any blood sugar spikes from the fruit sugars in the bars and makes a complete, filling snack for those times when you need a more hearty snack. I keep a variety of Lara Bars at home. Lots of delis and supermarkets sell them now, so they’re easy to find if you haven’t brought anything with you.
Most importantly, be prepared! Having something healthy readily available makes it much easier to avoid unhealthy options.
Here’s to your good health!
Nikki Ostrower is the founder of NAO Nutrition, a private practice in New York City specializing in weight loss, eating disorders, autism, fatigue and heart disease. She has a degree in Business Management from SUNY Binghamton and a certificate from The Academy of Healing Nutrition.
