I’m sure you’re familiar with this scene…

It’s 1 PM, and you’ve spent the entire morning answering calls, finishing to-dos, and putting out fires.

You’ve barely had a spare moment to breathe, let alone eat.

With your stomach screaming at you, those pink frosted animal crackers in the break room are looking better and better by the minute. Next thing you know, you’re feeling angry and starving.

Many of us have faced these types of “hanger” moments and may have resorted to eating the nearest options (which are generally less-than-ideal nutritionally).

Don’t let your hunger get the best of you. Make sure that you prepare yourself with some sensible options you can turn to when hunger strikes! Today I’m going to show you what works to assure you don’t get hangry.

Snacking will not only balance your blood sugar but will also help to fuel your body and mind so that you can stay productive and creative throughout your day.

When choosing healthy snacking options, try to look for foods that are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. To stay healthy and well-fed, it’s also essential you avoid added sugars, as this will cause a spike and crash effect, doing more damage than good.

Need help getting started? Try these healthy snack ideas to help YOU conquer your day, no matter what is thrown at you!

6 HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS THAT ARE HEALTH COACH APPROVED

1. PLAIN GREEK YOGURT WITH VANILLA PROTEIN POWDER

If you have access to a fridge, this is a great option to fill you up through to your next meal. Greek yogurt is extremely high in protein and calcium, and also offers gut-loving probiotics to support your microbiome.

With the added benefit of tasty flavored protein powder (vanilla blends well), this snack tastes delicious and will offer you up to 30 grams of protein!

Want to add some excitement to your yogurt? Top it with some mixed nuts, berries, seeds or low-sugar granola for a full parfait-experience.

2. GUACAMOLE AND VEGGIES

Is there anything better than a scoop of fresh guacamole?

Now it’s easier than ever to get your guac fix with pre-packaged portable guacamole cups that you can take on the go with you. Guac is deliciously versatile too—great for dipping carrots, crackers and tasty for spreading on your favorite wraps or sandwiches (and it’s full of good stuff for you).

Not only does it taste amazing, but you will also reap so many benefits, thanks to the number one ingredient: avocado. These nutritious fruits are incredible sources of fiber, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and vitamins B-6, E and K. While they contain high levels of fat, much of this fat is the healthier unsaturated fat, making avocados a nutritious option that will fill you up. All of these benefits will help to keep your heart, mind, and body stay satisfied and energized!

3. CHIA SEED PUDDING

These little seeds are packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, magnesium, and phosphorous, and are extremely low in calories. Not only that, but almost all of the carbs inside chia’s are fiber, which not only guarantees healthy digestion but also means incredible energy-storage for your day (are you convinced to try them or what?).

You can prepare a bunch of these jars at one time so choosing a healthy snack on-the-go snack is a no brainer.

Follow this easy recipe to make your own today:

INGREDIENTS

• 3–4 Tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk from a can (milk fat + liquid shaken together) *Thai Kitchen Organic works excellent*
• 1/2 Tablespoon of Liquid Stevia (or sweetener of choice – just beware of sugar content)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
• Optional Flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa powder, peanut butter, pureed fruits
• Toppings of choice: fresh berries or other fruit, granola, nut butter, etc

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl or mason jar, stir or shake together chia seeds, nut milk, sweetener of choice and vanilla (if using). If you’re using a mason jar, you can put the lid on and shake the mixture to combine everything.

Once the chia pudding mixture is well combined, let it sit for 5 minutes, give it another stir and/or shake to break up any clumps of chia seeds. Go ahead and cover the jar tightly and put the mixture in the fridge to “set” for 1-2 hours or overnight. The chia pudding should be thick, not liquidy. If it’s not thick enough, just add more chia seeds (about 1 Tablespoon), stir and refrigerate for another 30 minutes or so.

You can also you pudding the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight if that’s easier. When ready to serve top the pudding with berries and enjoy.

Chia pudding can be stored for up to 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4. EASY NO-BAKE PROTEIN BALLS

Rather than grabbing for a sugar-packed granola bar (which should really be labeled as a candy bar at that point), do yourself the favor of prepping some no-bake protein balls in advance to help keep your hunger at bay and energy up all day long!

A simple recipe to make these treats, that doesn’t require a food processor, is:

INGREDIENTS

• 4 servings protein powder (I used chocolate-flavored protein for this recipe – feel free to mix it up!)
• 3 tbsp hazelnut almond butter (I LOVE the brand “Justin’s” version)
• 3 tbsp coconut oil or coconut butter
• ¼ cup raw cacao or unsweetened coconut powder
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp shredded coconut
• 2 tbsp smashed nuts (I used walnuts)
• 2 drops liquid stevia (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Add the coconut oil and nut butter together in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to soften
• Once softened, add the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and stir together until combined well (I just used my hands for this – a little messy but it gets the job done)
• Once your ingredients are mixed well, separate into even pieces and roll into 8 balls. Sometimes it gets sticky, so I coat my hands in water or coconut oil to help with molding. If they’re tough to mold, put them in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden, and then roll them into balls.
• Either serve your energy bites right away or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!

5. ORGANIC ROASTED SEAWEED

Seaweed is a perfect on-the-go snack for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike. It is full of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and is a hug beauty-boosting food! With no trans fats or cholesterol, seaweed is healthy and low in calories too and can be easily transported or kept in a desk for a quick snacking option.

The other reason we love it? There’s only 1 ingredient: Organic Roasted Seaweed! (When purchasing, make sure you check to ensure it’s not made with any canola or hydrogenated oils!)

6. COCOA-DUSTED TRAIL MIX

Making your own trail mix is another incredible snack option that is portable and filling, and fun too! Get creative and add nuts, seeds, and dried fruits that excite you – such as goji berries! Here is a simple recipe you can follow to create a chocolatey-mix:

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup almonds
• ¼ cup cashews
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon raw cacao (or unsweetened cocoa powder)

DIRECTIONS

• Place all of the nuts and raisins in a bowl. Sprinkle with cacao and toss for an even coat and serve.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

And there you have it – easy go-to healthy snack ideas! With a well-balanced mix of protein, fat, and nutrients, as well as choices that come from our good green earth.

This list should help you conquer your next snack break!

Do YOU have any healthy snack recommendations!? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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