I don't know about everyone else, but I can't cope unless I snack between meals.. Finding creative ways to snack without heading to the standard grilled cheese and tomato toasted sandwich is an endless battle.. Between nutrition books that I've been reading, my naturopath's recommendations, and watching 'Good Chef, Bad Chef' at 6.30 every morning, I think I've got my personal favourite 'snacking menu' down pat! :)
Protein Smoothie- My number 1 go-to snack! I use a high quality protein that's very natural. A lot of brands are highly processed and have added sugars and caffeine, especially some of the ones that you buy from supplement stores. Make sure you read the ingredients on the back before buying! I like to add flaxseed meal, chia seeds, almonds and frozen berries. I make it off water and add ice so it's extra cold.
Buckwheat Pancakes- I always keep some buckwheat pancakes in the freezer. I'll cook a big batch in coconut oil, freeze them, then pop one or two in the toaster. They come out nice and crunchy, then I'll put avocado, or ricotta and vegemite on them.
Roast Capsicum Dip and Mountain Bread Chips- roast a capsicum under the grill until soft and throw it in the blender with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 clove of garlic crushed, salt, pepper, a handful of raw cashews and a handful of parmesan cheese or 1 tbsp of cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Add water if you like a thinner consistency. Tear up some mountain bread and put it in the oven until crunchy, takes about 5 minutes.
Banana Protein Muffins- 3/4 cup of rolled oats, 2 ripe bananas, handful of almonds, 1 egg, 1 scoop of protein powder, 1 tsp bicarb soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla essence. Blend ingredients and pour into muffin tray about halfway, allowing them to rise. Bake at 180degrees for about ten minutes or until skewer comes out clean. Keep them in the freezer and just microwave when you need them.
Hard Boiled Eggs- I boil about 4 at a time and keep them in their shells in the fridge. I'll peel and eat one before going out for coffee so I'm not tempted to buy food when I get there.
Omelettes- Omelettes are my favourite late night snack. There are so many variations. I'll put steamed broccoli and dollops of ricotta in them, or Feta and mushrooms. A little grated cheese and grated zucchini. I'll throw a little can of four bean mix in with a diced fresh tomato. Or all of the above in one massive omelette!
Salad- Mid afternoon I sometimes like to have a little salad. I put a heavier dressing on to bulk it up a little. This dressing is blended sunflower seeds, lemon juice, EV Olive Oil, raw cashews, garlic and a little water to thin out the consistency so you can stir it through.
Homemade Hummus- I eat more hummus than the Zohan, it's so good to have in the fridge and goes with so many things. This is my recipe. 1 can of chickpeas, juice of 1 lemon, 1 small clove of garlic, 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 100ml of water to thin out consistency, himalayan salt to taste. Also add a 1/2 tbsp of tahini if you have it. Place all ingredients in a blender, vitamix or nutribullet and blend until smooth. Add more water if it's too thick. I keep a batch in the fridge and have it with vegie sticks or wholegrain crackers, stirred through salad, or with kale chips or sweet potato fries.
Kale Chips- remove stems of kale and tear into bite size pieces. Drizzle with coconut oil and massage oil through so all leaves are evenly covered. Sprinkle with a little Himalayan salt and chilli flakes and spread out on a tray lined with baking paper. Cook in preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 10 minutes but watch carefully as they can burn quickly. I love these dipped in hummus. You can do the same thing with finely sliced sweet potato, swede or beetroot. Mini Quiches- Keep some little quiches in the fridge so you can take one or two out and heat them up for a quick snack. These are made from wholemeal pastry, egg, ricotta, tasty cheese, chives and cherry tomatoes.
Avocado, egg and tuna on Burgen Weight Management Toast- this is more of a meal, but I'll have it mid afternoon sometimes if I'm really hungry and know I'm going to be having a later dinner.
Xo
