If you’re anything like me, your healthy lifestyle comes to a screeching halt around 3p.m. when the little voice inside your head starts screaming for some nachos. You’re deaf to anything but that voice and convinced that you’ll starving to death unless you immediately down a bag of nacho cheese Doritos from the office snack closet. Besides, one of the perks of your job is getting an all-access pass to the snack closet, so you’d have to be a moron to not partake. It’s basically like turning down a portion of your salary! So you saunter over to the kitchen (or walk if you’re lame) and chow down on some cheesy goodness. And then, an odd bit of magic happens. The second you swallow that last bite of Doritos, your euphoria turns to dread as you realize you’ve just consumed 6,000 calories and you’re still not satiated.
Have no fear—you’re not alone. Snacking is easily my biggest weakness as anyone who’s seen me with a bag of Doritos can attest. And no article about deep breathing has successfully broken my habit of stress eating. There are, however, a few recipes for healthy snacks for adults that are savory and satisfying. Hopefully these can keep you from grabbing the processed garbage that stares you down every time you walk by the snack closet.
Apple rings
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it’s also boring as hell. Spice things up by coring an apple and cutting it into rings (this tricks your brain in to thinking you’re eating a cookie or a chip and not an apple*). Spread a small amount of peanut butter onto each ring, and use the full fat stuff, not the “low fat” version that’s chock-full of sugar. Then sprinkle a small amount of granola on each ring. Careful, that stuff is fattening, but the crunchy goodness will again trick your brain into thinking you’re eating chips or crackers.** Bring back to your desk and enjoy!
*Based on absolutely no scientific evidence.
**Again, not based on any scientific evidence.
Banana bites
Anyone who’s seen the hit film “Honey We Shrunk Ourselves” knows that bananas are an excellent source of potassium. They help reduce your risk of strokes, lower your blood pressure and help clean out your gut. This snack is super filling, a little on the sweeter side and looks “fun” according to my co-workers. Take a Maria and Ricardo Sprouted Grain tortilla (it has a nice flavor that complements the banana), and spread peanut butter on it—again, use full fat PB, not pretend PB. Sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on the peanut butter then place the banana on one edge. Roll the banana in the wrap and slice into bit-sized pieces. And BAM! You have a delicious snack.
Grown-up ants on a log
This is for all you adults that want to seem sophisticated while still eating a child’s snack. Mix a 4oz. of low fat cream cheese with two tablespoons of Greek yogurt. Chop up roughly 20 green olives stuffed with pimentos and mix that in. Then add a ¼ cup of chopped walnuts to the concoction. When you’re ready to eat, spread your treat onto some celery and crunch away.
So there you have it. Healthy snacks for adults–more or less. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! And if you don’t, blog about it.