I have recently started moving away from pre-packaged Paleo snacks (like Larabars, beef jerky, trail mix, etc.) to homemade healthy snacks I could make at home.
After taking a close look at several recent grocery store receipts, I discovered that the most expensive category was that of snack food items. These items are definitely not “necessities” in my diet, so I have decided to really cut down on them. I still keep a Larabar in my purse for “hunger emergencies,” but I am not consuming one each day like I was before.
Since Dustin and I are “snackers,” I had to find some replacements for the convenient pre-packaged items I used to pack in our lunch bags. Here are a few of my favorites…
Garden Fresh Meatballs – I love this recipe from Sarah Fragoso. She has taken lots of excellent meat and vegetables, and combined them in a bite-sized little package. I make a double recipe of these, and keep a bag in my freezer. They are delicious, and very filling! They are great re-heated, but I enjoy them lukewarm too.
Egg Cupcakes – These are another protein-packed treat. Egg Cupcakes have some of the same ingredients as the meatballs, but you can switch it up based on your favorite vegetables (for example, try adding shredded carrots or chopped green peppers instead of spinach, etc.). My Mom made these for our breakfast when we visited my parents over the weekend, and she used sausage instead of bacon. They were delicious!
This recipe also came from Sarah Fragoso.
Paleo Comfort Foods also has an excellent version.
These are not as delicious from the freezer as they are fresh, but they are definitely good cold or lukewarm!
Sweet Potato Wedges – These have become one of my favorite on-the-go snacks for busy days. When I am using tons of energy, the carbs help me re-fuel and keep going! Aside from that, they are absolutely delicious. Just peel your sweet potatoes, slice them into wedges, and toss in coconut oil (about 1 TBS per potato), cinnamon, sea salt, and a dash of chili powder. Bake on a foil-lined pan, in a 375-degree oven, for appx. 30 minutes. I like mine crispy around the edges, so sometimes I will give them a few more minutes.
I keep these in a plastic container when I’m on-the-go so I can eat them in the car without taking my hand in and out of a plastic bag.
It is also easy to whip up your own trail mix with some seed, coconut fakes, raisins, and your favorite nuts. Here is one example I LOVE!
A few other non-packages snack items for us have been baby carrots, almonds, apples, bananas with almond butter, coconut flakes, etc.
Happy Snacking!
Thanks for the suggestions! I have the sweet potato wedges in the oven now. They smell so yummy and my tummy is growling. 5 more minutes!
Oh.my.goodness. They were SO good. I first I wasn’t sure about the cinnamon with the chili powder but it was PERFECT! Only one problem. I made 3 big taters so I could use your suggestion to keep as a snack on the go. However, I did not take into consideration that my kids (who are not fans of sweet potatoes) would actually like them and eat them all. 🙂 So happy to fun a healthy snack we ALL like!! Next time I will just have to double the batch.
I know!! Amazing, huh? Yeah, I never make enough. They are GREAT post-workout. Glad the kids liked them too! YAY!
-Jennie