Have you ever been so hungry that you could not think straight? I’m sure we have all been there at one point or another. It usually happens because we have not eaten in a while, and our blood sugar level has dropped. This is why it is essential to always have healthy snacks on hand, especially when trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Snacking is a huge part of our culture, and for a good reason—snacks are delicious. But all too often, we reach for unhealthy snacks that can sabotage our diets and leave us feeling tired and sluggish. Hence, we at TriForce encourage you to include a source of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in all snacks. Here are a few examples of regular healthy, balanced snacks that will help keep your energy up and your metabolism going strong and just can be easy to grab from a grocery store or gas station.
1. Hard-boiled eggs + berries/fruit – eggs are a great source of protein, and berries are packed with antioxidants. Both of these foods are packed with nutrients, and they’re easy to transport and store. The store usually has little pouches of 2 hard-boiled eggs and some fruit you could grab.
2. Greek yogurt + berries/fruit + nuts – find a greek yogurt brand you like the taste of – we like Dannon light and fit because it’s less tart, but you can find one that has 2% fat or less and low added sugar. Many people like the triple zero one in the black container, and the nuts can be any ones you like!
3. Beef jerky+ apple – since beef jerky is an excellent protein source but doesn’t have a lot of water to help you get that feeling of fullness, pairing it with an apple will help! we like a country archer or chomps brands for beef/turkey jerky (you can buy on Amazon too!)
4. RX bar, MetRx bar, or Perfect bars – they’re high in protein and fiber, low in sugar, and taste great. Plus, they’re all very affordable. Most gas stations have these, and the perfect bars are refrigerated.
5. Cheese stick + fruit – most gas stations also have this now! Chris enjoys two cheese sticks with grapes for a snack.
In terms of pre-workout snacks, TriForce recommends that your snacks should primarily contain carbs and protein because they both provide energy that is easy for your body to use during the workout. Although fats are an essential energy source too, it is not recommended to eat high fat foods before exercise because the body digests fats more slowly. Since the food stays in your stomach longer, it can cause digestive distress and sluggishness as your body uses energy to support digestion rather than fueling your workout. Bananas, yogurt, rice cakes, deli meat, protein shakes, oatmeal and applesauce are all examples of great options for a pre-workout snack.
So, what are some of your favorite balanced snacks? If you’re not sure what balanced snacks you will make, don’t worry! TriForce can help- our Nutrition coaches are more than happy to plan out a healthy snack routine for you that fits both your fitness goals and taste preferences. Contact us today to get started on building the perfect balanced snack plan for you by emailing megan@triforcecrossfit.com!
