I have a huge sweet tooth but as a personal trainer and nutrition coach I’m always thinking of ways to satisfy my cravings while staying on track nutritionally. I’m here to tell you that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring! Here are seven healthy takes on your favourite snacks.
NO Bake Chocolate Coconut Chia Seed Bars
These bars are a great substitute for a standard granola bar. These bars are grab and go just like a boxed granola bar because they can be eaten straight from the freezer! The chia seeds add quality protein and fibre to these bars which means you’ll stay fuller, longer!
1.5 cups of quick oats
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
¼ cocoa powder
¼ chia seeds
½ tsp sea salt
¼ natural peanut butter
¼ melted coconut oil
¼ pure maple syrup
Simply mix the dry ingredients together. Then melt peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup on the stove and pour into dry ingredients. Press the mixture into a loaf pan and freeze for 30 minutes.
10 Minute Protein and Greens Bar
These bars here are a great substitute for a store bought protein bar which can be loaded with sugars and extra calories. PLUS if you use a protein and greens blend like Vanilla Vega Protein + Greens you’ll get the added benefit of your daily dose of greens. Each of these bars contains approximately 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fibre with no added sugars. Plus, if you have a sweet tooth like I do.. I find these bars really satisfy.
½ cup natural peanut butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
⅓ cup honey
⅔ cup vanilla vega protein+greens
1 cup of oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp chopped peanuts
2-3 tbsp shredded coconut
Melt coconut oil, peanut butter and honey in a pan on low heat until smooth. Then transfer to a larger bowl. Mix in protein powder and remaining ingredients. Place in a parchment paper lined loaf pan. I also melted a little peanut butter and spread it on top of the bars. Place in the fridge for at least an hour!
Dark Chocolate Coconut Flour Cookies
These rich chocolate cookies are are a great substitute for your standard chocolate cookie or brownie. I used coconut flour instead of all purpose flour because its gluten free and high in fibre. Fibre-rich foods like coconut flour tend to have a low glycemic index because they are better at regulating blood sugar levels meaning you will feel fuller, longer!
⅓ cup coconut flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda
2 eggs
¼ pure maple syrup
⅓ cup melted coconut oil.
½ cup dark chocolate chips
Bake a 350F for 12-15 minutes
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies are a perfect substitute for your standard flour, peanut butter, granulated sugar and egg peanut butter cookie. These cookies are so soft and chewy and the pumpkin flavour is such an added surprise. Pumpkin is high in Vitamin A which is essential for many processes in your body, including maintaining healthy vision, ensuring the normal function of your immune system and organs and aiding the proper growth and development of babies in the womb.
1 egg
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup pumpkin puree
⅓ cup coconut sugar
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp baking soda
Just over ⅓ cup oat flour (more if the mixture is too wet)
Bake at 350F for 11-13 minutes.
Zucchini Noodle Caprese Salad
This is a lighter option in place of a caprese pasta dish! Carbohydrates are not a bad thing, but sometimes you just want something lighter, with the same flavour profile.
Using a spiralizer create the noodles (or you can buy pre-spiralized frozen zucchini). Then throw the noodles into a frying pan with olive oil and garlic. Cook them for a few minutes then toss in the chopped up cherry tomatoes. I cooked everything for another minute or two. Then toss with salt and pepper and throw it into a bowl. When you’re ready to serve it add sliced bocconcini and fresh basil.
Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
These are by FAR the best muffins I’ve ever made. Muffins can often be very heavy and loaded with excess sugar and fats, especially if you’re buying them pre-packaged or from a fast food restaurant. The basis for these muffins is almond meal, which is low in carbohydrates while being high in healthy fats and fibre. These properties mean that the muffins have a lower glycemic index, meaning sugars are released slower into the bloodstream to provide a sustained source of energy.
3 mashed bananas
¼ pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup of almond meal (this adds extra protein!)
1 cup of oat flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp of cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
Strawberry Pronuts
Who doesn’t love doughnuts? I LOVE doughnuts, but I also know that I can’t eat doughnuts everyday. These strawberry “pronuts” perfectly satisfy your sweet tooth while giving you a boost of protein. All the ingredients used are simple and clean making these pronuts a great pre or post workout snack. If you don’t have doughnut pans, check out these ones on Amazon.
¼ cup almond meal
1 mashed banana
2 egg whites
1.5 scoops of strawberry milkshake protein
2.5 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
¼ pure maple syrup
Icing
1 scoop strawberry milkshake protein
3 tbsp oat milk
Shaved white chocolate
Bake at 350F for 18 minutes.
So many people assume that healthy eating means that you’ll be eating “boring” food forever. However, it’s my goal to demonstrate that that’s just not the case! Healthy eating isn’t something that I have to do, it’s something that I chose to do and as a result I feel so much better both physically and mentally. I hope this post sheds light on some amazing ingredients and simple swaps that you can do to see these physical and mental changes for yourself too! If you’re looking for more guidance with your nutrition look no further than my Meal Prep 101: A Beginners Guide.
