In This Small Kitchen: Snacking

Posted by Cara - July 26th 2013

In recent years, I’ve developed a new habit, or really the lack of one: I stopped snacking.

I found that I just enjoyed all my labored-over, home-cooked meals a lot more when I was truly hungry for them. And overall my body felt better when I ate three meals a day, not four, not five, not six. That’s only my take; I know there’s a huge variety of appetites and diet plans out there. (I owe you tons of disclaimers, too: I make exceptions for gifted cookies, ice cream stores passed on walks, iced coffees with cream on hot afternoons. But most days, I don’t really snack.)

Still, a girl’s got to keep her blood sugar up. When life pushes dinner into the wee hours, I make sure to feed the hunger and get the energy I need to propel me through that happy hour, networking event, or bike ride home. So what does the anti-snacker snack on?

I go for savory over sweet, and I aim for a dose of protein: an egg, a piece of cheese, a carrot dipped in hummus. When on the go, my favorite snacks are handfuls of almonds or salted peanuts. If I’m going to be out and about, I always keep a KIND bar (flavors of choice: Peanut Butter & Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Macadamia Apricot) in my bag. Sometimes it’ll stay there for weeks until I find myself rushing somewhere at 6:30pm, starving, and seriously thrilled not to have to search the corner deli for my snacking Goldilocks, something edible, healthful, not too big, not too small, not too junky, not too sweet.

Are you a snacker? Savory? Sweet? Are you a KIND bar aficionado too? I’d love to hear!

P.S. Healthful Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, for all your snacking needs.

Posted in: In This Small Kitchen

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  • http://angeliquejennifer.blogspot.com/ jennifer schmittlin

    Unfortunately, I love snacking. Especially on days off in front of the telly or after dinner. Not so much when I’m working, unless I’m really hungry of course.

    http://angeliquejennifer.blogspot.com

  • jaime @ asweetroad.com

    Nuts are the best snack! They can hold you over when you’re busy and have hunger pangs but an hour or two until you can have a meal, they don’t make you feel like you over-snacked on anything unhealthy, and they taste delicious!

  • http://www.worldclasslasik.com/cataracts/cataract-surgery-cost Cataract Surgery

    I can’t not do something constantly. snacking and smoking will be the death of me

  • Chelsea Dillon

    I LOVE the KIND bars! Discovered them earlier this year while traveling for work, and are now my favorite go-to bar. I also love hummus and carrots.

  • Charlotte

    I don’t snack either! It’s relieving to hear someone else say it, and put it so nicely into words. Three meals a day works for me - I feel more alert, healthy and balanced. It’s not that I’ll NEVER have a snack, but it’s not a daily, or weekly occurrence. My most common snacks are actually drinks - tea, or a cocktail before dinner.

    • http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/ BGSK

      Thanks for writing this, Charlotte! I was a little worried about how it would come out on the page. But I’m glad you feel the same. I’m all about drinks, too-from iced tea to cocktails/beer.

  • Amanda Laird

    One of my favourite on the run snacks is a pitted mejool date stuffed with a couple of almonds. It’s got that sweet and salty vibe, some protein and dates give you a burst of energy. A banana smeared with some crunchy almond butter is also another snack I reach for often!

    • http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/ BGSK

      Do you use roasted/salted almonds with the dates? Sounds delicious!

      • http://amandalaird.wordpress.com/ Amanda Laird

        I usually have raw almonds in my cupboard, but roasted/salted nuts would take it over the top!

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