Healthy Snack Ideas for Busy Professionals

Healthy Snack Ideas for Busy Professionals

On busy working days, you need the best foods to sustain your energy and feel optimal in your body. Instead of buying pastries on the go or sugary granola bars, put your health first instead of your busy schedule. Here are some recipes for healthy snacks.

Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn

Popcorn is excellent for cravings; it will fill you up, give you the necessary carbs for your body to keep going, with little fat. You could eat it plain, savory or sweet. For the chocolate lover, this salted dark chocolate popcorn is for you.

• 1 tbsp. of coconut oil
• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 4 ounces chopped dark chocolate
• A pinch of sea salt

Heat up the popcorn with oil in a medium pot. Don’t forget to cover it as the kernels will start popping rapidly. Shake the pot occasionally. The secret to avoiding burning your popcorn is to remove from heat once the popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops. On the side, melt the chocolate with the salt in a small pot. Once it becomes liquid, pour into the popcorn and stir. You can add more salt if you want a saltier flavor. This recipe is perfect for weekend’s meal prep as you can make large batches that will last your entire week.

Pistachio & Cranberry Energy Balls

This delicious recipe is from nutritionist and blogger Pick Up Limes. Energy balls are a simple recipe as you can mix all your leftover sweet ingredients to create a delicious snack. The following is recipe is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and refined-sugar free. In other words, you have no excuse not to try it.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup de-shelled pistachios
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 2 tbsp. ground flaxseeds
• 1 cup soft, pitted dates
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

Roast the oats and whole nuts for 10 minutes in the oven (350°F) and set aside to cool down. In a large bowl, add the flaxseeds to 3 tbsp. water and let it sit for a few minutes. Mash the dates with a fork until smooth and combine it with the flaxseed mixture, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Finally, mix all the ingredients together and roll into balls. Refrigerate them for 30 minutes and try not to snack on them in a day! They are delicious healthy treats!

Green Smoothie

Smoothie rhymes with healthy. You can never go wrong with this delicious drink that can be enjoyed wherever you are. If you’re like Kristy Arnett, you do not want to worry about your health while focusing on your career. So, here is her secret to stay fit and healthy: a vitamin-packed green smoothie.

• 1 cup grapes
• 1 serving whey protein
• 1 banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp. maca powder
• 1 tsp. organic flax seeds
• 1 tsp. chia seeds

It only takes five minutes to make, and it will provide you with the best long-term benefits for your skin, hair and overall health. And what better time than summertime to make smoothies as you can enjoy the diversity of fruits available. So, be ambitious and achieve your goals while taking care of your long-term health!

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