One of the most common challenges I’ve seen others (and myself) face when it comes to eating healthy is avoiding junky snacks. These kind of foods are often referred to as convenience foods because they’re quick and easy to grab. Quick and easy is a good thing, but these snacks foods are filled with salts, sugars, artificial flavoring, bad fats and more, and having very little to no nutritional value. Fresh fruit and veggies and raw nuts and seeds are a healthy grab and go snack, but what about when you want a little more? You don’t have to reach for that bag of savory chips or another chocolate bar, instead try on of these healthier options. They take 5 minutes or less to make and there are so many different ways that you can mix them up.
Sweet Rice Cakes
I was never really a rice cake person, but on my most recent backpacking trip I started adding them to my grocery list because they’re an easy snack to carry around and crunchy! You know what I mean, sometimes you just need that crunch. I have prepared them so many different ways but my favorite is this sweet version. You can switch it up a bit to get a lot of different combinations (use different nut butters, fruits and seeds) and its super quick to make and eat on the go!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Original rice cakes (I like the thin ones)
- Everything Nut Butter or a regular nut butter*
- Banana
- Honey or agave nectar
- Hemp, chia or pumpkin seeds (If you’re not using everything nut butter)*
Spread the nut butter on the rice cake and then top with the rest of the ingredients, ending with a drizzle of honey.
*If you can’t find Everything Nut Butter (nut butter made with a few different types of nuts with chia seeds, pepitas, etc. added in) you can use a regular nut butter (I recommend almond) and top with some hemp seeds, pipits, chia seeds, etc. When choosing a regular nut butter make sure the only ingredient is that nut. Avoid nut butters with added oils, salt, etc.
Savory Rice Cakes
My second favorite way to eat rice cakes! I also came up with this one on my most recent backpacking trip. It was the day before I was leaving the hostel I was staying at and I only had a few ingredients left. I didn’t want to buy anything else since I was leaving the next day, so I combined them all and this what I came up with. It was delicious!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- original rice cakes
- avocado
- red pepper flakes or cayenne
- spinach
- hemp seeds
- balsamic vinaigrette
Mash the avocado and spread it on the rice cake, then top with the rest of the ingredients. You can also add sprouts and tomato, mmmm!
Veggie Rolls
Veggie Rolls are pretty easy to make and eat on the go and you can add whatever veggies you have left in your fridge. This recipe is my favorite combo of veggies but there are so many possibilities!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- rice paper wraps
- warm water (for rice paper wraps)
- cucumber, cut into thin slices
- carrot, shredded
- avocado
- baby spinach
- liquid aminos/coconut aminos/soy sauce
Follow directions on rice paper wrap package. Place veggies on rice paper wrap and roll up. Dip in liquid aminos. Mmmm, mmm, mmm!
Fruit Rolls
This recipe is still under the 5 minute mark, but the chocolate spread can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for about a week. You can make it at the beginning of your week and have it ready to grab whenever your having one of chocolate cravings, spread it on a strawberry or banana or enjoy it in this fruit roll recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need:
For the chocolate spread…
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup cacao powder (NOT cocoa powder)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Blend all together and enjoy!
For the fruit rolls…
- rice paper wraps
- warm water (for the rice paper wraps)
- slices of strawberry
- slices of banana
- chocolate spread
Follow directions on rice paper wrap package. Spread some chocolate spread on the wrap and add strawberry and banana slices, roll up and enjoy! You can also switch up the fruit you use in this recipe for different combinations.
Apple Slices with Nut Butter
This is the quickest and easiest snack recipe but also one of the most delicious. I threw this together for a group of friends one time and the asked if there was more and still ask for it when they come over!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- apple slices
- almond butter
- cacao nibs
Easy: spread some almond butter on the apple slice and top with cacao nibs. The best!