Snack Time

If ever there was a favourite food type past time, it would be 'snacking'. Don't get me wrong, I love me some good food, but only when I'm in the mood for it. Snacking however, is the cure for all kinds of moods, be it the good, the bad and the indifferent. It is the never failing, feel good 'thing' we look forward to each day. The reality though is that while we look forward to the snacks themselves, most of which are laden with unhealthy fats and tons of sugar, we do NOT look forward to the potential health hazards and expanding wasitline from 'snacking'. So does that mean give up snacking? Absolutely not! If you can limit the calories or rather make them fit into your daily caloric requirement, making your own versions of these same snacks with heathier ingredients and options is the way to continue your favourite past time.

So what are these options I speak of? The rule of thumb (by my standards) is the more natural and less processed it is, the healthier it is. But isn't it likely to taste awful? you might ask? I say, no, not if you add your own touch of creativity to it. Let's take granola bar or oatmeal cookies for instance. With some, oatmeal, wheat germ, splenda (or honey), raisins/cranberries all mixed in a bowl, pressed into a square baking dish and baked for 10 minutes you can get the same yumminess as a nature valley bar but with 1/2 the calories.

Another favourite of mine is my quick oatmeal rounds/cookies. zero fat and 1/3 the cals of the store bought type. All it takes for 2 servings (2 people)

1. 1 cup quick oatmeal (option: in a food processor, blend to get a flour type texture)
2. 1-2 egg whites, whisk in 1 tsp vanilla to this
3. 2 tbsp splenda (or 1 tbsp light corn syrup)
4. raisins/cranberries (optional)

5. cinnamon

6. 1/4 tsp baking powder

combine dry ingredients first then add wet ingredients. mix until combined. spoon mixture into balls unto lightly greased baking sheet, press flat using bottom of glass or hands, bake at 350F for 10 minutes or until edges become lightly browned.

I usually have these as my mid am snack with a protein shake or as the carb portion of breakfast after an intense am workout. They are also delicious with coffee or tea or plain yogurt as a mid morning snack. Seems like a simple way to get a treat packed with all the good nutrients to fuel the body for the day ahead, wouldn't you say?