The Energized Woman

To keep your energy up throughout the day, it is important to include healthy snacks on a daily basis.  Many people experience an energy slump around 3 or 4:00 in the afternoon.  Whenever I feel my energy dipping during this time, one of my favorite snacks to have is apples with peanut butter. 

All apples are healthy choices and a good source of fiber, but my apple of choice is Granny Smith.  They’re juicy and crunchy, and compared to some other kinds of apples they won’t impact your blood sugar as much.  Pairing the apples with a source of protein, as in the peanut butter, also helps to keep your blood sugar stable. 

You can choose any nut butter, but I typically reach for the peanut butter.  Be sure to check the label for healthy ingredients.  I especially like to have Smart Balance peanut butter on hand, as it contains omega 3s and has no hydrogenated oils.

This type of snack helps you to feel satisfied and stay full longer, because it blends protein with carbohydrates and healthy fats.  Also, this combination helps to stabilize your blood sugar so that you don’t experience a short surge of energy followed by that ‘crash’ feeling with which most of us are all too familiar.

What are some healthy snacks that have become staples in your everyday routine?  Please leave a comment; it’s always great to have lots of snack options.