ashleyd /

Six Quick, Healthy Filling Snacks

 

Hello HHL Readers!  My name is Melissa and I am a NYC-based blogger, fitness enthusiast and lover of the delicious food NYC has to offer.  After some time away from blogging, I’m back and excited to share my fresh perspective on fitness, health and nutrition.  Follow me over at FitnessNYC, if you like reading about fitness studios, workout plans and food — both healthy and indulgent! I’m honored to be guest posting on Ashley’s blog, and today I’d like to share with you some of my favorite quick, healthy and filling snacks.

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First up are my mini-meal snacks, which are great when I get home from work famished and I know dinner isn’t until 8pm or later.  The three options below are easy to assemble and very satisfying, and they all have fewer calories than your average nutrition bar to boot.

Steamed Vegetables with a Sprinkle of Parmesan

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I always have steamed vegetable mixes in my freezer.  When I’m cooking a meal, I almost always use fresh produce, but I find that frozen vegetables are great in a pinch and perfect for a quick, hearty snack.  I just fill a small or medium bowl with whatever frozen vegetables on hand, sprinkle on whatever grated cheese I have on hand, and toss in a few red pepper flakes. Three minutes in the microwave and I have a snack that will keep me full until dinner every time.

Tortilla Melt

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Another quick snack that always takes the edge off my hunger is a tortilla melt. I just put a corn tortilla in a skillet and top it with some cheese and salsa (and some TJs cowboy caviar in this case) and warm it up on the stove until the cheese melts.  I find this far more satisfying than a handful of chips and salsa.

Apple and Celery Stuffed Dates

FullSizeRender (1)FullSizeRenderWhen I have a sweet tooth, nothing satisfies like a fresh date.  To make it even more of a treat, I like to stuff the dates with apple, celery and nut butter to add volume and texture.  It’s sort of a grown-up version of ants on a log.

When I’m at work, I reach for grab and go snacks that require no preparation.  Here are my top three go to options:

Pistachios

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I love pistachios. They’ve always been one of my favorite nuts, so I keep a big back at the ready in my office desk.  I find these are the perfect option when I’m kind of hungry, but also kind of bored.  It takes a while to remove the shell, so unlike most nut snacks, they aren’t gone in a matter of seconds. An ounce of pistachios is 49 nuts, which is twice the amount of many other nuts, so they are a great volume option.  Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to unshell 49 pistachios in one sitting.

Nu-Gu Fiber D’lish Bars

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Lately, I’ve been loving these bars when I need something to satisfy my sweet tooth. They are chewy, sweet and packed with fiber.

String Cheese

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String cheese is one of my favorite on the go options because it’s available almost everywhere, drug stores, bodegas, convenience stores, it’s my go to when there aren’t a lot of healthy options and I need a small snack.

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ashleyd /

Staying Hydrated and Satiated During the Second Trimester

As you guys know, I’m almost half way through my pregnancy. I pinch myself on a daily basis in disbelief that I’ve been on this wild ride for more than four months!

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Even though I am feeling energized these days, there are a few things that remind me daily that I am definitely growing a baby girl.

  • Early morning workouts aren’t very frequent. I used to be the queen of morning workouts, often waking up before 6 AM to workout before enjoying coffee, breakfast and work. These days, I find myself pushing snooze anytime I set the alarm for earlier than 7:30 AM.
  • I’m ALWAYS thirsty. Regardless how much water I sip throughout the day, I can’t seem to quench my thirst.  I try to ensure I have access to water throughout the day, keeping water at my desk and on my bedside table. The other thing that is helping is keeping our refrigerator stocked with sparkling water.
  • As of last week, I am ALWAYS hungry. Trust me, I’ve read enough books and spoken with enough doctors and friends to know that many people start eating for two WAY too early OR tend to eat for four instead of two. I am being concious of what I put in my body, but also listening to my cravings and hunger cues.  This means that I’m packing more snacks than ever before when I head to the office, gym or even out to run errands.

After trying to figure out the best way to answer my pregnancy cravings, I’ve found that eating lots of fruit helps me satiate both hunger and thirst. Whether it’s fresh grapefruit at breakfast or berries and yogurt for dessert each evening, I’m always just a few hours away from my next serving of fruit. Luckily, these handy Del Monte Fruit Refreshers are perfect for grab-and-go snacks that pack in the flavor without the unwanted additives like high fructose corn syrup, GMOs, artificial flavors or colors!

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If I’m heading out for a workout, I’ll toss it in my bag to enjoy right after class. When I’m in our WeWork office I keep a pack in the fridge for easy snacking. They are currently available in four different flavors:

  • Red Grapefruit in Guava Water (holy yum!)
  • Pineapple in Passion Fruit Water
  • Mandarin Oranges in Coconut Water (love the coconut water twist)
  • Grapefruit & Oranges in Pomegranate Water

These handy snacks are like fruit cups for grown ups – not too sweet and packing in a full serving of fruit in each 100 calorie cup. Around 3:30 each day, I find myself enjoying one of these alongside a handful of almonds and cup of tea.  Next time you’re at Target, Walmart or your local grocery store I suggest tossing a pack in your cart. You’ll thank me when these give you an afternoon pickup when you need it most.

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To learn more about Del Monte’s Refreshers product line, visit www.delmonte.com, or visit their Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook channels.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Del Monte . The opinions and text are all mine.

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