Snack Time!

Since I am the resident foodie and nutrition-nut in many of my friend circles, I am constantly asked about what I eat, where I buy it, and what brands I support. Thus, I figured it was about time I created a post or two in order to answer these questions and provide some sought after recommendations. This post is dedicated to my favorite snacks!

I need my snacks, in fact, I would be extinct without them. Living the active life that I do, I need to eat every 2.5-3.5 hours or I feel like my stomach starts cannibalizing itself and as though my muscles are eroding. And it is at that time I become a major B. So it is best that I always have my nutrient dense and satisfying snacks, like the ones below!

Perfect Bars

Hands down, my #1 go-to snack is a Perfect Bar.  Perfect Bars are made from fresh, quality, wholesome ingredients to make a bar that is essentially “perfect” in terms of supplying you with all the nutrition you need. Nut butter based, these bars are packed with protein, as well as complex carbohydrates from organic honey or fruits and 20 expertly hidden superfoods. Perfect Bars are non-gmo, kosher, and have options for whole-30 and vegan diets. These bars are dense and satisfying; some people eat them as breakfast or lunch on the go, or like me, this is the perfect snack to keep me going between yoga classes.

I am obsessed with the Peanut Butter and Coconut Peanut Butter flavors, and I countdown to when I get to them on the days when I know I am having one. Other favorite flavors are Peanut Butter Chocolate and Almond Coconut!

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Peanut Butter & Celery/Apple Slices

The truth is that peanut butter is my life. 9 times out of 10, I will have a snack that includes peanut butter in some shape or form. And you cannot go wrong with the classic peanut butter with celery sticks or apple slices. Peanut butter provides protein and heart healthy fat, celery sticks are hydrating and light, apple sticks are hydrating and vitamin rich. Plus, this snack is super cost effective!

I like the Trader Joe’s or Sprouts brand peanut butter because they don’t add anything else in like sugar or palm oil; it’s all just pure peanut butter! Also, grinding your own peanut butter from Whole Foods is a thrilling experience. Not to mention, I’ll bet there are vendors at your local farmer’s market that have some pretty incredible peanut butter offerings too.

 

Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

Due to my physically demanding line of work and lifestyle, I am a protein predator – always on the look out to get more of the stuff. Protein Powders are a great way to up your protein intake, and for that, Orgain is my favorite brand. I like Orgain because they have this Plant-Based Protein Powder that is dairy-free since whey protein upsets my stomach. Additionally, Orgain is gluten, soy, and gmo free, and all organic! Based on pea and brown rice protein and including a ton of other superfoods, this powder can’t be beat with 7g of fiber and 21 grams of protein per serving.

Their Creamy Chocolate Fudge is truly phenomenal and tastes like a dessert. There are 2 main ways I like to have this protein powder:

-1- Simple with Water

Directions:

• Add 2 scoops of Orgain Protein Powder to a shaker bottle.
• Add 4 large ice cubes and 1 ½ cups of water.
• Shake until smooth.
• Drink!

-2- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

• Add 2 scoops of Orgain Protein Powder to a blender.
• Add ½ cup frozen banana slices.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter.
• Add 3 large ice cubes and 1 ½ cups of water.
• Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Drink!

 

Pro-Tip: Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder is always significantly cheaper at Costco.

 

Handful of Almonds

This one may not seem as exciting as the others, but almonds are another reason I am still walking this earth. I teach a lot of early morning classes (like 5:30am early), and a handful of almonds is just the early morning snack I need to get me through teaching during the rising hours until I can have a proper breakfast a little later on. I like the dry roasted, unsalted almonds from Trader Joe’s, which comparatively a steal for the price of a pound!

 

Vegetables and Hummus

When I am in the mood for a savory snack, I turn to this one. Good hummus is brimming with healthy fats, complex carbs, and other nutrients. When paired with raw vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers, you would be hard pressed to find a cleaner snack than this! I really like many of the hummus options at Trader Joe’s; I am just mindful to choose one that is does not include soybean oil.

 

Hardboiled Eggs with Avocado

Again when I am in the mood for something savory, hardboiled eggs with some avocado slices are a go-to of mine. For me, this snack feels very light and is ideal for when I am about to go do something incredibly physical and just need a little something in me to fuel me through that activity. Top the avocado with a little sea salt, and you are in business!

And there you have it: Johnny’s Favorite Snacks! These are simply the snacks that I love and I feel serve me on the daily, and maybe they will serve you too! Feel free to let me know what your favorite snacks are so I can give them a try to. Comment below!