The Energized Woman

Do you have days that are action-packed and you’re on the go a lot? Are you wanting to eat healthy, but when you’re not at home you find it much more challenging? With these five nutritious snack options, you’ll go through your days with increased energy and avoid those nasty energy dips that show up after consuming something heavily processed and full of chemicals.

What’s also great about these five snack options is that they will truly satisfy you and keep you feeling full, so you won’t need to reach for something else that’s less healthy an hour later.

1. ALMONDS and DARK CHOCOLATE

This is one of my all-time favorite snacks, and it really is so healthy for you. The almonds are a great source of calcium, and the dark chocolate (look for 70% cocoa content) provides antioxidants and helps to improve your mood.

2. GRANNY SMITH APPLE with NUT BUTTER

The apple provides a good source of fiber, and this specific type doesn’t impact your blood sugar as much as some of the other kinds of apples. It’s a great combination with a nut butter (not a nutterbutter;-), because the protein and healthy fats in the nut butter balances out the sugar from the apple and leaves you feeling satisfied and comfortably full. Some options for nut butters are peanut butter and almond butter. (Note: Opt for organic apples whenever possible, to avoid the pesticide residues that are left on an apple’s skin.)

3. LARABARS

I actually just ate one of these yummy bars as I was writing this article. There are a variety of "bars" on the market, some better for you than others. What I particularly love about Larabars is that they are gluten and dairy-free, are raw and unprocessed (is that redundant?) and provide you with lots of great nutrients. And the ingredient list is only 4 or 5 items long. Love that! Whenever I leave the house I always have one in my purse.

4. VEGGIES with HUMMUS

You can cut up some vegetables (or buy pre-cut veggies), such as red peppers, celery, and carrots — whatever you tend to like the most. Then dip them in hummus to get, once again, a highly nutritious snack that will really boost your energy. The hummus is a good source of protein, and there are many flavors of hummus so you can experiment to find the ones you enjoy the most.

5. PEARS with CHEESE

Although I am not a huge fan of dairy, this snack can be a great choice if you do eat dairy occasionally. The pears are a good source of fiber. The combination, once again, of a carbohydrate (pears) with the protein and fats (cheese) helps you feel satisfied and full and able to make it to your next meal without reaching for something out of a vending machine or at a convenience store.

These snacks really come in handy when you’re heading out the door and want to take something healthy with you. The last two snacks on the list do need to be kept cold (the hummus and the cheese), so if you choose these be sure to carry them in an insulated lunch sack.

I’m a big advocate of eating regularly throughout your day to help keep your blood sugar stabilized, which in turn will allow for a consistent level of energy as well as a more even mood. Making healthy snack choices really serves our bodies and provides us with the fuel that we need. Go ahead and give these snacks a try!

And if you would like to learn more about increasing your energy in natural ways, I invite you to visit http://www.TheEnergizedWoman.com. While there, you can also sign up to receive a free 60 minute audio that addresses some of the top energy drains of today’s lifestyles and what you can do about them.

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Copyright 2010 – The Energized Woman – All Rights Reserved.

Amy E. Willard is passionate about helping women in their 30s and 40s create healthy lifestyle changes that stick and more effectively manage their personal energy.  Her mission at The Energized Woman is to support these women in increasing their energy and taking charge of their health so that they can be their best selves and bring their gifts to the world. For more tips and resources, please visit http://www.TheEnergizedWoman.com.