Don’t let your cravings and your office snacks get the best of you. CHOOSE healthy snacks before you reach for those chips, donuts or candy. Set yourself up for success with healthy snacks. Make it easy; by planning ahead so they are readily available. Here are samples of easy, healthy and balanced snacks:

• Sliced veggies, like celery, cucumber, jicama, zucchini, red bell peppers, broccoli or carrots with ¼ cup hummus. If you choose carrots limit to 3-5 carrots sticks due to higher glycemic index.
• Apple slices or celery with 1 Tbsp. of nut butter
• One table spoon of nut butter on a banana
• Gluten free crackers (4-5) with 1-2 tablespoon of olive tapenade
• Olives (5 olives) • Smoothie (see my post of how to create a Healthy Smoothie)
• Fresh fruits and nuts (9 cashews and a cup of berries)
• Sliced tomatoes with basil, feta cheese and olive oil
• ½ of an avocado
• ½ sweat potato with cilantro chutney
• ½ yam baked, sliced with cinnamon (warm or cold)
• ½ cup of black beans with salsa and 1 Tbsp. of avocado
• Nori or seaweed sheets baked with sesame seeds
• Trail mix. Make sure there is no added sugar, excess salt or sulfites. You can make your own. Limit to ½ cup a day.
• Plain dairy-free Kefir with fruits and nuts, or just with fruits or nuts. Or just with a little bit of honey or by itself
• Three-quarters cup to one cup of shelled edamame
• Homemade energy bars
• Endive leaves with homemade salsa
• Crispy kale chips
• Nori wrap with cauliflower, avocado, mixed shaved veggies (cucumber, carrots), sprouts and fermented sauerkraut (Tip: put a little water around the seams to keep it together)
• A frozen banana with cacao powder smoothie or a frozen berry smoothie
• Frozen grapes are just like grape ice-cream without any work from your part. Just wash them, freeze and enjoy.