High Energy Snacks

One of the worst things you can ever do to yourself is train your body NOT to beg for foods at regular intervals.

Sounds pretty dumb, huh?

But hunger is a defense mechanism for your body. It is your body's way of telling you it is not receiving the nutrition it requires.

 Now remember, in that last statement, I did not say it is not getting enough food. I said it is not getting the  nutrition it desires. You can fill up your entire body on a continuous basis with tons of junk foods but that still means you are lacking in nutrients. Your body is trying to tell you that in its only way.

So eating three consecutive meals plus a few mini snacks may sound like just so much food to many people, but when you plan your daily foodstuffs around good solid nutrition, the act of feeding your body on a 4-6 hours daily schedule, this maintains a smooth and continuous flow of energy for both you and all of your major organ systems. Otherwise, many people get so tired and cranky. The continuous headaches, fluctuating blood sugar levels, and the muscles and joints get so tired and sore. All of this discomfort just because you couldn't take a few extra minutes to give your body the necessary fuel it so desires.

Popular Approximate 100 Calorie Snacks

Most people's concept of a snack is to hit the vending machine, a bag of chips or pretzels, cookies, crackers or pastries. But none of this is what your body is searching for. Snacks themselves can be just as good for you as the main meal with just a little bit of advance planning. What that means, pick up a few things from the house or store and bring your little doggie bag to work with you. So, some excellent ideas for a quick mid-day or mid-morning snack could include:

1. two graham cracker squares spread with peanut or almond butter
2. a piece of sliced turkey breast wrapped in lettuce with some mustard, sliced tomato and a slice of onion.
3. one cup of homemade broth-based soup like vegetable or chicken w/ brown rice
4. one oatmeal cookie with unsweetened tea and a spritz of lemon (as your sweetener)
5. cottage cheese (1/2 cup) and pear (whole pear) salad served on a bed of lettuce
6. one slice of whole wheat bread, one slice of cheese and a slice of tomato. Place in a toaster oven for several minutes till cheese is melted
7. small side salad - choose from any variety of greens (except iceberg lettuce - it has next to no nutritional value) and add an assortment of toppings from radishes, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, mushrooms etc.. For the dressing use 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp. plain rice vinegar, 1/4 tsp dijon mustard and then sprinkle with garlic powder, parsley flakes with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Stir it up and enjoy.
8. 1/2 whole wheat english muffin with marinara sauce, lowfat shredded mozzarella and a few peppers, onions or mushrooms for garnish. Broil till cheese melted and browned.
9. 1/2 frozen banana (sliced lengthwise) and smeared with almond or peanut butter
10. toothpick skewers are great. Place a turkey breast cube, a chunk of lowfat cheese with a watermelon cube on a toothpick and enjoy
11. a quick and easy fruit smoothie just needs some fresh fruit chunks, a container of yogurt plus two ice cubes. Blend until smooth. For some extra nutrition, throw in a few fresh spinach leaves. Once it's blended no one is ever going to guess it is in there.
12. homemade trail mix is so easy. Choose your favorites from a variety of raw nuts and seeds, add some unsweetened shredded coconut, a few mini chocolate chips and a few pieces of your favorite dried fruit. Mix it up and enjoy.

So coming up with some high energy snacks really isn't at all difficult. The best part, feed your body some nutrient dense selections and you are going to find you don't have those constant hunger pangs and then sleepy, groggy daytime hangovers at all anymore.