Here’s some simple WFPB (whole food plant based) snack ideas that are filling and don’t break the bank to prep for yourself. If you’re focused on eating healthier, weight loss, or maintaining a healthy weight, snacking on plant based foods will address these priorities. Plant based foods are our species natural diet we’ve thrived on for hundreds of thousands of years. Processed “snacks” from boxes in the grocery stores have only been around for about 100 years and are NOT doing your body any good.
I personally get the afternoon munchies, so having healthy snacks ready to go in my fridge is a must! Setting the example and sharing these with my kids is passing down healthy habits and instilling wise choices in the next generation. Lead by example as a role model.
Here’s a list of my favorite go to healthy snacks.
1. Apple Slices with Cinnamon Date Dip
Thin slice a few apples. Then blend 5-8 dates, 1 TBSP of cinnamon, 2 slices of apple and 1/4 cup of water in a small blender or nutribullet (you can add more water to reach desired consistency). Scoop the dip into a small bowl and use as a deliciously sweet but healthy dip to accompany your apple slices.
Dip sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days max.
2. Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
This simple, plant based pudding tastes just as good as the nasty store bought (sugar filled) brands. But this version is packed with vitamins, minerals and omegas from the dates and chia seeds along with natural sugars and fiber. Chia seeds expand with moisture, so the Chia seeds actually help create that natural thick pudding consistency you’d get with a store bought brand. In a high speed blender, mix the below ingredients, pour into serving bowls and leave in the fridge overnight or chill for 5 hours and then serve!
4 Cups Non-Dairy Milk (oat milk is very creamy)
1/2 Cup Chia Seeds
Add Flavoring: Chocolate = 1 serving Chocolate protein powder (I love Gardein Brand), or 1/2 cup cacao powder or Add Flavoring: Vanilla = 1 TBSP vanilla extract
10 Pitted Dates (can add or remove dates for sweetness levels)
Pudding can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days max.
3. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas (aka Garbanzo Beans)
This is an easy, crunchy snack packed with protein and flavor. It’s comparable to munching on bar nuts, but without the fat and empty oil calories. Here’s the simple recipe:
Take 1 can of chickpeas, drain & rinse, and DRY with a dish towel
Place the chickpeas in a cookie sheet baking pan on top of parchment paper (low fat, oil free). Or you can use a quick non-stick oil spray and bake at 350F (176 C) for 50 minutes
Remove from oven and let cool for 20 min. Then pour into a mixing bowl and add spice flavoring and toss evenly to coat all pieces well. My Favorite flavors to add are as follows: - McCormick Old Bay Seasoning - Jack Daniels BBQ Rub - Taco Seasoning - Paprika for a (mild) light smokey flavor Roasted chickpeas can be stored in a mason jar or Tupperware container, at room temp or in the fridge, for up to 3 days max.
4. Vegetable Platter
A huge platter of veggies can be flavorful and filling! They’re packed with a ton of minerals, vitamins, fiber and low in calories. You can typically prepare an entire weeks worth of snacks (peeling, chopping, drying and storing) in about 10-15 minutes. Then throwing together a snack bowl each afternoon can be done in under 1 min! Great Raw Vegetable snack list:
Carrots
Celery
Jicama
Sugar snap peas
Squash
Yellow/Red/Green Pepper
Cherry tomatoes
Broccoli
Califlour
Cucumber (CANNOT cut in advance; must cut fresh before eating)
Side Note: Small Bite Sized Carrots are assembled by factories that actually chlorine or bleach clean them in batches. Due to manufacturing laws, they don’t have to disclose this info on the packaging. It’s actually safer to chop and prepare your own carrots over buying the small bite sized kinds.
5. Vegetabe Dips
Having some delicious dip to accompany your veggies adds great flavor and dimension to your food. Here’s a list of my go-to favorites.
Ranch (vegan options)
Cesar’s (vegan options)
Guacamole
Salsa
Hummus (lots of flavors to choose from)
Cream Cheese based dips
Greek Yogurt creamy based dips
Cottage Cheese and honey/agave syrup
Chickpea based dips
6. Fruit
Fruit can actually be filling and packed with minerals, vitamins, fiber and provide a high amount of energy. I think most people only grab 1 piece of fruit for a snack. But because they are so low calories, eating 3-5 pieces or an entire cereal bowl of the same fruit might be a better approach for a more calorically dense snack. Also, chopping your fruit into bite size slices will help you enjoy and savor each piece and eat slightly slower. By eating slower, this allows your stomach to fill at a more moderate pace and you’ll feel more satiated when your done.
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