Snack Superstars

I don't know about you, but there's no way I can survive from lunch to dinner without a snack of some sort. In fact, many nutritionists (my mom included) feel that eating throughout the day is healthier than gorging yourself at three meals a day. If you're prepared with healthy, but yummy snack ideas, you won't be caught raiding the fourth floor vending machine for Cheetos and a Coke. Here are a few ideas:

1. Apples with peanut butter - In my opinion, you can't go wrong with this classic. Many of us don't eat enough fruits and vegetables and snack time is the perfect opportunity to free ourselves from this deficit! A small apple can have as much as 4 grams of fiber (more than many of your breakfast cereals has per serving!) and a tablespoon of peanut butter adds another 1 gram plus 4 grams of protein. If this isn't a yummy power snack, I don't know what is!
2. Celery with peanut butter and raisins - You can probably tell I'm a huge fan of peanut butter...low calorie and with that ideal salty/sweet/crunchy/creamy combination, you can't go wrong!
3. Popcorn - LOVE THIS! Perfect comfort food with plenty of fiber. Be sure to find a brand that's both healthy and tasty. Air-popped is of course healthiest, but if you aren't going to eat it, what's the point!? Look for low calorie and non-hydrogenated oil versions.
4. Assorted Nuts - Unsalted varieties such as almonds, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, etc..or all of the above serve as an insanely healthy snack. Nuts are rather calorie-rich, however, so be conscious of your portions. Just know that these calories are coming from healthy fats and protein so don't be scared off! (1/4 cup of almonds is approximately 135 calories)
5. Carrots with hummus - Many people assume hummus and pita chips automatically go together. I couldn't disagree more! Carrots add a crunch and sweetness (not to mention fiber and antioxidants and all of those other veggie benefits) to the snack that is to die for. Buy a brand of hummus that looks healthiest and most natural (none of this "hummus flavoring") to you or make your own! Recipes are all over the web..here's a link to one of them:

http://www.food.com/recipe/super-healthy-hummus-90086

Enjoy :-)