FitSugar

Your Healthy Snack Ideas

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:30:00 PDT

After reading all your wonderful snack suggestions my afternoon snack has transformed into an inspired treat. There were so many great ideas, and I love reading that you all eat your fruits and veggies throughout the day.

Aside from the various energy bars and seasonal fruit that we all eat and love, here are some great snack ideas:

Edamame
Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Whole grain wheat thins with the Laughing Cow light garlic and herb cheese
Radishes or cucumbers with balsamic vinegar
2 Wasa Crackers with 2 tablespoons of Trader Joe's chipotle hummus spread on and topped with sliced grape tomatoes
100 calorie mini bag of popcorn
Non-fat or low fat yogurt (Greek yogurt is higher in protein) and fruit or cereal or both

If you are looking for a new take on the frozen banana treat, missyd has a great recipe. To check it out

Cut a banana (short way) into two.

Insert popsicle stick in one of the ends of each.

Dip in yogurt (I like strawberry fat free).

Roll in wheat germ.

Freeze (I lie them in a cookie sheet, popsicle sticks facing up in the air. Also helps to drape some plastic wrap over so they don't get yucky freezer-burn taste).

Thanks for the recipe missyd! Now that sounds tasty to me. I might need to wait until the weather is a wee bit warmer to try it. Another reason to look forward to late Spring!

Speak Up: Favorite Healthy Snack

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:30:00 PDT

When my energy level takes a nose dive in the late afternoon, I reach for a snack. Lately, my power-through-the-rest-of-the-day snack is a mozzarella cheese stick, a handful of nuts, and a piece of fruit. Let me say this though, I am getting a little bored with it. So I am curious what you reach for to energize yourself in the midmorning or the long hours between lunch and dinner.

Share your healthy snack idea in the comments section below, because I need some inspiration.

What 100 Calories Really Looks Like: Nuts

Susi May — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:11:04 PDT

Nuts are one of our favorite foods. Convenient for snacking, they're loaded with protein and healthy fats. But nuts are also high in calories (and some more than others), making it necessary to watch portion sizes when noshing on these nuggets of energy. From almonds to walnuts, we've created a visual breakdown of the most popular nuts so you can see just how many it takes to hit the 100-calorie mark.

Save Money, Help the Planet With These DIY Healthy Snacks

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:28:48 PDT

Eating healthy isn't always cheap, but it's a must if you want to improve your overall health. If you choose to buy organic or exotic options like dried blueberries - $13 for a small bag! - snacks can quickly eat up your food budget. Find out how to nosh on healthy nibbles and still have money left in your wallet.

Cheese sticks: Instead of buying individually wrapped cheese sticks, save money and avoid plastic packaging by making your own. Buy a block of your favorite cheese for a few bucks- mozzarella and monterey jack work well - and cut the block into long wedges for a grab-and-go snack.
Nut butter: Nut butters are great on toast, crackers, or sliced fruit, but if you buy organic jars, you can spend almost $8. Try this instead: buy huge bags of unsalted raw nuts, pour a cup in the food processor, and make your own. You can even make mixed nut butter with a few of your fave nuts and seeds. Spoon the creamy mixture into a glass container to store in the fridge.

Keep reading for more money-saving snack tips.

Ice, Ice Baby: Creative and Healthy Ways to Use Your Ice Tray in the Kitchen

Michele Foley — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:06:43 PDT

Eating healthy is no easy feat - it usually requires a little more time in both planning and preparation. But did you know that a simple ice tray can make healthy living a breeze? From smarter snacking to a good-for-you breakfast, keep reading for creative and healthy ways to use your everyday ice tray.

Smoothies
A smoothie makes a healthy on-the-go breakfast, but sometimes life is so hectic, there isn't even time to turn the blender on. Save yourself a daily mess by freezing a batch of your favorite smoothie to use at a later date. When you're ready to enjoy, let cubes defrost in a cup overnight and grab it on your way out the next day. We're loving this recipe for make-ahead coconut green smoothie cups. You can also save time by freezing yogurt in ice trays and portioning those cubes into baggies with frozen fruit - just dump the contents into the blender whenever you're in the mood for a smoothie.

Homemade Healthy Treats
Skip sugary store-bought popsicles and ice-cream treats and make your own at home. When using fresh fruit, like in this recipe for homemade berry-banana popsicles, you don't even need to add sugar. Add a little protein (and good bacteria mix) by using Greek yogurt, like in our recipe for Summer berry and yogurt ice-tray pops.

See more creative and healthy ways to use ice trays after the break!

Olympic Pros Shawn Johnson, Natalie Coughlin, and Mia Hamm Share Their Healthy Snack Ideas

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:25:59 PDT

Being an Olympic veteran means three things: you're a world-class athlete, you're used to hectic schedules, and you know how to travel smart. So who better to ask about how to stay healthy while being on the go than a few famous Olympic athletes? Whether you're snacking at home or need something to grab and go, here are recommendations from veteran Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Mia Hamm, and Shawn Johnson.

When traveling: It's all about "making sure you plan ahead and bring stuff with you, whether it's trail mix or an [energy] bar," soccer star Mia tells us. Gymnast Shawn recommends KIND bars because they are all natural and come in "fun flavors such as almond and coconut and apple cinnamon and pecan. They're surprisingly good," she tells ESPNw. Swimmer Natalie loves making her own energy bars - get her dried plum energy bar recipe here.

At home or work: Natalie is more than just a decorated Olympic swimmer; she's also an avid home cook and gardener. Natalie shared with YumSugar one of her favorite healthy snacks for Spring: "I love just having a really good baguette with good, high-quality butter (just a tiny bit of butter) and fresh sliced radishes with salt on top," she recommends. Shawn is all about snacking on veggies as well: she pairs peppers with hummus for a crunchy, filling snack.

Read on for more snack ideas from these famous Olympians!

Natalie Coughlin: An Olympian Who Loves Food as Much as We Do

Camilla Salem — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:30:37 PDT

What do backyard chickens and 11 Olympic medals have in common? Natalie Coughlin, that's what. The gold medalist and world champion is gearing up for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, while cultivating a healthy interest in all things food-related. From growing vegetables in her own backyard in Lafayette, CA to her highly effective method of kitchen organization, Natalie gives us the scoop on her experiences with food.

YumSugar: You raise chickens in your backyard and you consider yourself an urban farmer. What do you grow or produce yourself that you're most proud of?

Find out her answer and so much more when you keep reading.

6 Dieting Rules You'll Love to Follow

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:14:17 PDT

Don't eat this, stay away from that - following a diet can seem like a total killjoy. If you're feeling depressed about how restrictive your diet is, here are some proven weight-loss rules you'll welcome with open arms.

Dig into a big breakfast: Skipping breakfast to save calories? That's a big mistake because eating breakfast actually jump-starts your metabolism. Your first meal of the day should include protein to reduce sugar cravings, and fiber to satiate your hunger. A veggie omelet, fruit smoothie with spinach, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, or Greek yogurt with fresh fruit are excellent choices.
Say yes to carbs: Before you get all excited, I'm not talking about bagels, regular pasta, and pretzels. Simple carbs made from enriched white flour offer little nutritional value and more calories than you need. Stick to complex carbs like quinoa, brown rice, and oats, as well as foods made from whole grain flour such as pasta and crackers - the least processed and as close to nature as possible. (Of course, you still need to be mindful of portion sizes.) Complex carbs are not only full of fiber that keep hunger at bay, they also contain valuable vitamins and minerals your body needs such as vitamins B6 and E and iron.

Keep reading for four more weight-loss rules you'll love following.

7 Websites That Inspire Cooking With Kids

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:25:12 PDT

Cooking with your kids can teach them all kinds of lessons, from timing and measuring skills to cutting and cooking techniques, and it gives them a greater appreciation for the food that is served at the table. As an added bonus, kids are usually more willing to try new and healthier foods if they are part of the cooking process. These seven websites inspire kids of all ages to cook with mom or dad, so check them out, try a recipe together, and let us know which site is your family's favorite resource.

Fit For a Feast is designed to teach kids how prepare delicious, kid-friendly recipes with safety and precaution. The website offers instructional food videos with colorful graphics, nutritional info for kids, knife safety tips, and advice on how to prep and store food.
Cooking With My Kid is a photo-filled site with nutritious snack and meal ideas that you can prepare together as a family. Simple and totally enjoyable, this guide offers step-by-step instructions for recipes like giant chocolate-covered raisins and sweet potato and lentil stew.
Hey Kids, Let's Cook includes instructional videos for multicultural, kid-friendly cuisine, especially good if you are unsure about how to get your kids involved in the kitchen. The host Kathy clearly demonstrates engaging, fun techniques for her kid cooking assistants, like using a melon baller to create beautiful shapes in a fruit salad. The video section also includes mini table-etiquette tips, taught by one of the kid cooks.

Click here for more kid recipe sites.

Get Egg-cited Over These Items For a Healthier Easter Basket

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:47:53 PDT

Easter is coming up, and for some of us that means a big brunch followed by a helping of candy - think Cadbury Creme Eggs, Peeps, and lots of jelly beans. While a few Easter treats are OK, weighing your basket down with chocolate, caramel eggs, and jelly beans can be the gateway to mindlessly snacking on candy for the rest of the week. Whether you're making a basket for a friend or the little one in your life, keep reading for some healthy ideas to sneak in amongst the candy.

Photo: Jenny Sugar

Healthy homemade desserts like these pumpkin-carrot bars with cream cheese frosting or vegan peanut butter patties.
Decorated hard-boiled eggs to use later in one of these healthy hard-boiled egg recipes.
Spring flowers like tulips, dahlias, or lilies.
If you're going to put a little chocolate in your basket, choose antioxidant-rich dark chocolate that's organic or fair trade.
Health and fitness magazines, small gadgets, or DVDs.
Carrots - they're the Easter Bunny's favorite snack, after all!
Our selections of pastel-colored fitness gear like headbands, socks, or workout tanks.
Especially for kids: puzzles, small toys, stuffed bunnies, stickers, magnets, disposable cameras, packets of seeds and gardening tools, plastic eggs filled with coins or beads, Silly Putty (it even comes in its own egg), pastel-colored socks.
Need a healthier alternative to jelly beans? Try energizing sports chews like Clif Shot Bloks or Jelly Belly Sports Beans.