The Art of Snacking: Eat This, Not That

Everybody loves snacks. They satisfy cravings and feel fulfilling and indulgent.

But let's be honest, some snacks are healthier than others, and we don't always make the best choices. In order to master snacking, we need to substitute higher calorie and unhealthy foods with fresh produce and healthy fats.

Doesn't sound fun, does it?


When it comes down to it, once you start snacking healthier, you may not even miss the chips and dip or the ice cream cone. Try some of these substitute to help satisfy your cravings and become a champion of snack time.

Before any snack, however, I recommend drinking a glass of water or cup of green tea--sometimes your body is not craving food, but craving water. If you're still hungry, indulge away!

Banana "Ice Cream" is a delicious alternative!

What you crave: Ice Cream
Try: Banana "Ice cream"

Cut a banana into slices, place in a plate, and stick them in the freezer. After about 20-30 minutes, pull out the bananas and mash with a fork and transfer into a small bowl. Add cinnamon, a little sweetener (I usually use honey, but agave, stevia, or even maple syrup would work--keep in mind, bananas are sweet to begin with...you really don't need a lot), and stick it back in the freezer for 10 minutes. It'll have a creamy texture like ice cream and tastes like such a frozen indulgence without the extra fat and sugar.

Want to switch it up? Add some chocolate chips if you want something sweet. Or mash some peanut butter into the banana before freezing it. Add peanuts if you want a crunch. Craisins would also be delicious! Customize it however you fancy!

What you crave: Chips and Dip

Carrots and hummus might be one of
my all-time favorite snacks.

Try: Carrots and Hummus

Baby carrots are packed with vitamin K and give a nice crunch which can be entertaining for your mouth like a crispy chip. Hummus is packed with protein and tastes delicious (my current favorite is Trader Joe's Triple Layer Hummus), but make sure you watch your intake!

Want to go even healthier? Make a "sour cream" dip out of greek yogurt. Take some plain greek yogurt, mix with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, a little chili powder, and salt to make a mixture that tastes just like chip dip. Add some dill to make it even better!

What you crave: Pie
Try: Baked apples with cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350. Slice an apple into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a baking dish (spray it with nonstick cooking spray). Sprinkle with cinnamon and a sweetener (I use stevia, but honey is also delicious) and a little sprinkle of salt. Bake for 35 minutes for a delicious apple pie filling flavor.

Have blueberries lying around? They compliment the apple beautifully.

Want a crumble on top? Add some slivered almonds to the mixture. If you want to make a "healthier" crumble topping, combine 1 1/2 tsp. of flour, 1/8 c. of old fashioned oats, a sprinkle of salt, olive oil, cinnamon, and sweetener in a small bowl and distribute over the top of the apples before baking. Yum!

What you crave: Cookies
Try: "Cookie dough" dip with fruit

I make this Greek yogurt "cookie dough" dip all the time. It's delicious with apple slices and strawberries. It's also high in protein to keep you satisfied!

What you crave: Something crunchy
Try: Kale  Chips!

Kale and other dark leafy greens are packed with nutrients. Try making kale chips when you crave a crunch!

Let's not forget about plain old fruit! Tangerines, strawberries, pineapple, and other fruit are delicious just by themselves!

So try some of these alternatives and snack away, my friends! As long as you're careful and watch your intake, there's nothing wrong with a little pick-me-up when your body needs a little extra sustenance.