It’s a familiar story: Your day starts off with a killer F45 session, followed up by a nutritious breakfast packed with protein and fresh veggies. Your morning at work is productive, and you’ve given your boss three reasons to praise you already. Lunch is another healthy affair, a salad packed full of green leafy veg and healthy fats. You even got away from your desk for your lunch hour to walk around the park with a colleague. You’re feeling virtuous. Basically a health and wellness pinup at this point.
Ah, but it’s rolling around to 3pm, and the vending machine begins to beckon you. The sweet embrace of chocolate, nougat and caramel calls to you. The sweet treats are starting to shout your name down the corridor. You’ve hit the dreaded afternoon slump.
Maybe you give in to the pleas of the $1 charity Caramello Koalas, or perhaps you’ve come prepared?
You knew this was going to happen! So you armed yourself with healthy snacks!
What snacks are in your arsenal? Here are some ideas:
1. Hummus and carrot sticks
Creamy, zesty and garlicky hummus. Who can resist? And why resist anyway, hummus is packed with healthy fats, protein and fibre – all of which are going to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Make sure your hummus is free from artificial gunk, fillers and low-quality oil. You want to look out for hummus that’s only got a few, high-quality ingredients. Better yet try homemade! Even better, get it CHEF made (order here).
Oh, and you’re not limited to carrot sticks to dip into your hummus. Try capsicum, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower or snow peas too!
2. A pumped-up protein shake
Protein shakes are dull, gritty and so ten years ago. A pimped up protein smoothie is much more appealing – plus it’s way more nutritious!
Start with a good quality protein powder (you don’t want it to be overly ‘chalky’), your milk, plant-milk or other liquid of choice and then it’s time for the fun stuff. Add fruits like banana or mango, nut butter like almond or cashew, full-fat yoghurt for probiotics, chia or flax for added protein and fibre, and you could even top with hemp hearts or buckinis for some crunch. Now that sounds like an answer to the 3pm energy slump!
3. Nut butter and celery
A classic snack for a reason, celery and nut butter is convenient, nutritious and compact. You could try any number of nut butters, from the traditional peanut to the popular almond, or try something new with hazelnut or cashew – the range seems to be ever expanding. Make sure whatever nut butter you choose, it’s a high-quality one. Be on the lookout for fillers, added salt and sugar.
The crunchy and creamy nut butter spread over crisp celery is a satisfying snack you’ll be happy to bite into on any afternoon.
4. Nuts and seeds
Healthy fats and protein is a recipe for hunger-taming and nuts and seeds are just the ticket. They contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. They are calorie-dense though, so don’t overdo it – portion control is everything.
5. Bliss balls
Bliss or protein balls are usually packed with whole foods, sprinkled with superfoods and densely nutritious. Full of complex carbs, healthy fats, fibre and protein, they will both satiate and delight you! In short, they are the perfect 3pm snack. Have you tried our choc coconut balls yet? (Order here.)
Take the thinking out of snacking
Who’s got the time for buying and preparing snacks though? Not you!
We’ll take care of it for you, you can add snacks to your CHEFGOOD meal plan. Order yours here.
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