When it comes to staying on track with your fitness, health and weight loss goals, there is nothing more important than the food you eat, when you eat it and how much you eat of it during the day. Some of the top fitness trainers go by the 80/20 rule: what you eat is 80 percent of your success, while exercise makes up about 20 percent of it. So, if you’re really serious about finally have the body and the energy you want, you’ve got to learn how to munch lean, healthy and wise! Here’s how to do it.
Almond Butter Energy Balls
Whether you need an energy pick-me-up at 3pm (to simply get you through the rest of your work day) or you are craving something sweet after dinner, these almond butter energy balls will do the trick. Feel free to swap out the almond butter for sunflower butter, cashew butter (or traditional peanut butter), and bite into one for instant energy. Here’s everything you’ll need:
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
• 1 C. cooked oatmeal
• ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
• ¼ cup of almond butter
• Sprinkling of semi-sweet chocolate chips, if desired.
All you have to do is grind up the oats in a food processor, and then process the remaining ingredients. Once it has a dough consistency, scoop out small balls of dough in your hand form it to the size you’d like, and freeze. With only 83 calories per ball (and 6 grams of sugar) it’s the perfect midday munch!
Sweet Potato Chips (with Garlic Parmesan)
These chips are perfect when you’re craving something crunchy and salty. Just make sure to slice them very thin. Bake a big batch of them on Sunday night, and have a portable snack you can enjoy all week long!
• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil (avocado oil will work too)
• 1 tsp, sea salt
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary or oregano
Preheat your oven to 375, and while it’s heating, thinly peel and then slice the sweet potatoes. Line them on a baked sheet with parchment paper, and coat with the oil, sea salt and dried herbs. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top for something extra! Bake for 20 minutes, flipping the “chips” once, about halfway through.
Avocado Deviled Eggs
This last snack idea couldn’t be easier. We’ve all had deviled eggs, but the mayo in those can be a bit too fattening for many of us to bear. So, instead of using that classic tried and true egg filling, go for healthy avocado instead! All you have to do is boil about 4-5 eggs for 12 minutes, scoop and throw out the yolk, and replace the center with smashed avocado or hummus. With these three healthy, delicious and filling snacks, you’ll stay on track for each and every weight loss and fitness goal you have!
