Simple Snack Boxes To Make Life Easy and Tasty

We all need a snack now and then, no matter what our daily routine. But, rather than going for the easy candy or treats, here are few snack ideas that will help you toward your goals of a healthy day and life. 

"Nutrition really is the key to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy life. It goes a long way toward lowering the risk for heart disease and improving overall health," says Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, who also contributes to health-oriented cookbooks. (Quote from an article by Lisa Baertlein on http://www.everydayhealth.com.)

5 Simple Snack Boxes for Busy People

As days grow shorter, they somehow get filled with more things we have to do. During this busy time of year, it’s easy to slip up when it comes to healthy eating habits.

You might not have time to cook all of your lunches and dinners for the week, but you can be prepared with nutritious snacks to get you through the busiest of days. These grab-and-go snack boxes are easy to put together and are hearty enough to pass for a regular meal, or snack on them throughout the day. Each one is loaded with protein, fiber, and flavorful ingredients to satisfy your taste buds and that mid-afternoon rumble in your tummy.


All American
Snacking on good old cheese and crackers, and veggies with ranch dressing will please any kid, or grown-up kid. Our Healthier Ranch Dressing recipe made with Greek yogurt, low-fat buttermilk, and dried herbs is so much healthier and lower in calories than the goop that comes in a bottle that one serving is a full ¼ cup! Dunk those baby carrots and celery sticks to your heart’s content. Rolled up slices of lean deli turkey adds 15 grams of protein to keep you feeling full.

• 8 small whole wheat crackers
• 4 oz. low-sodium sliced turkey
• 1 oz. jack cheese
• 1 cup carrots and celery
• ¼ cup Healthier Ranch Dressing

Tex-Mex
The slogan is right, you can’t eat just one chip. Salty chips can be a snacker’s downfall, but these healthy Baked Corn Tortilla Chips are Beachbody approved! They’re brushed with a teaspoon of olive oil and baked until crisp. We paired them with fresh pico de gallo salsa and cheese so you can build your own nachos. Crunchy red pepper slices and chunks of sweet mango give this snack box tons of vitamin C and full servings of fruits and vegetables.

• Baked Corn Tortilla Chips (made from 2 corn tortillas and 1 tsp. olive oil)
• ½ cup pico de gallo (or Roasted Tomato Salsa)
• ½ cup sliced bell peppers
• 1 oz. pepper jack cheese
• 1 cup mango slices

West Coast
The West Coast has a reputation for being obsessed with kale and wholesome junk food alternatives like these roasted chickpeas – and it’s like, totally true. Throw in some of California’s famous produce, such as raw almonds, grapes, and clementines, and you’ve got a vegan snack box with more than 12 grams of protein.

To roast chickpeas: Drain, rinse, and pat dry one 15-oz. can of chickpeas. Spread chickpeas on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking oil and drizzle with 2 tsp. olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Bake in an oven heated to 425° F for 12 to 18 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp. Makes three servings, ½ cup each.

• 1 cup Kale Chips
• 12 raw almonds
• ½ cup grapes
• 1 clementine
• ½ cup roasted chickpeas

Mediterranean
Will this snack box filled with hummus, kalamata olives, pita bread, and juicy grapes and tomatoes make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a Mediterranean island? Probably not, but foods like these have been linked to longer lifespans, and they have plenty of omega-3s and fiber to fill you up between meals. Make snack time even better with this super simple recipe for Homemade Hummus.

• ¼ cup hummus
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 10 medium olives
• 1 cup grapes
• 2 mini pitas

 
Nordic
For a delicious, Scandinavian-style snack, layer velvety lox or smoked salmon with hardboiled eggs and cucumber slices on Wasa crackers. Look for whole grain crispbreads with extra fiber for a satisfying snack that is hearty enough to be lunch or dinner.

• 2 oz. lox (or smoked salmon)
• 1 hardboiled egg
• 1 cup cucumber slices
• 4 Wasa crisps

(Original article from BeachBody Blog September 9, 2016 | BY: Kirsten Morningstar  https://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/nutrition/5-simple-snack-boxes-for-busy-people)