Moms are often so concerned about what their kids are eating (and doing) that they forget about nourishing themselves. The result may be unhealthy eating habits consisting of drive-through lunches, vending machine snacks, or skipping meals altogether. Take a little “me time” and learn how to snack healthfully with these simple, healthy snack suggestions for busy moms.
When to snack
In general, you should eat every three to four hours to avoid overeating. If you skip meals and don’t snack, you’ll find yourself eating too much at your next meal. Look for convenient, healthy snacks that are about 150 calories or less.
What to snack on
Shop for snacks that are low in calories and high in nutrients. Organic, fresh, preservative-free foods are ideal. However, some pre-packaged snacks may be healthy options, too. Consider some of these simple snack foods to munch on between meals.
Cereal
Cereal isn’t just for breakfast. Put dry cereal in a ziploc bag and keep it in your purse, diaper bag, or desk drawer. Look for whole grains cereals that are heart-healthy, high in fiber, and fortified with vitamins and minerals. Kashi GoLean, MultiGrain Cheerios, Special K, and Raisin Bran are top choices for moms on the go.
Hummus and soy crisps
Instead of chips and dips, switch to hummus and soy crisps. Soy crisps contain healthy protein and are generally low in fat. Hummus contains “good” fat, Omega-3, folic acid, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and other vitamins and minerals. Take a little afternoon break and read your favorite magazine while munching on a handful of crisps with a few tablespoons of hummus.
Yogurt smoothies
If you don’t have time to sit down with a spoon and eat traditional yogurt, drink your yogurt instead. Be sure to read the labels when choosing your yogurt smoothie. Different brands can vary from very healthy (100 calories and no fat) to not so healthy with more than 200 calories and several grams of fat. Yogurt provides calcium, protein, and other necessary nutrients. Plus, it’s yummy!
String cheese
Another calcium- and protein-rich snack is cheese. Individually wrapped string cheese is a favorite among kids and mommies alike. Look for string cheese made with skim milk. Eat it alone, with a few whole grain crackers, or with an apple.
Fresh fruit
Speaking of apples, fruit is a portable, delicious, healthy snack. Pop an apple, pear, or other piece of fruit in your purse every day on the way out the door. Fruit makes a delicious mid-morning snack. Shop for fruits and veggies at organic grocery stores and local farmers markets to get fresh items without pesticides and preservatives.
100-calorie packs
These days, you can find almost every snack foods in convenient 100-calorie packs at your neighborhood grocery store. Although these snacks are convenient options, avoid eating the high sugar snacks (such as Oreos) every day. They have very little nutritional value. However, for a once a week snack, they are a reasonable option when you are looking for something sweet.
More snack ideas
- Healthy snacks for busy moms
- Healthy snacks for women on the go
- Delicious on-the-go meals & snacks
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