As many of you have seen me tweeting, I am working to decrease my sugar intake and also increase my protein. Over the last few years I had cut out most dairy and most meat…my sole protein seemed to be nuts because I just don’t eat a lot of beans…and well my sugar was easily too high because I was enjoying lots of Kashi cereal, goji berries, mulberries, dark chocolate and oh yes cookies and a little bite of David’s ice cream daily… yeah you see the pattern here.
In looking for lower sugar snack ideas, two things dawned on me…a lot of them include protein and a lot of them are meat or dairy. I decided to give it a try and record how I felt with adding these things back to my diet.
SMOOTHIE 
I started adding whey protein to my smoothie…but because I just couldn’t let go of all my green roots I am using 1/2 scoop Vega Optimizer and 1/2 scoop Chocolate Whey protein with spinach, carrots, cucumber and a banana. Because of the banana this one is high in sugar, BUT that’s a natural sugar and you are combining it with protein which is important for stable blood sugar.
HUMMUS
Broccoli and hummus has been one of my long time favorite snacks!! To make it even better I have stuck to my goal of purchasing only organic produce with the idea that most organics contain more nutrients and hence are more filling. I am also purchasing all natural and local hummus.
CHEESE 
If you do eat dairy, a low fat string cheese with an apple is a great snack. Sounds old school, but it works! Another cheese that is always touted for it’s great protein is cottage cheese…I’m just not a fan though, so this one isn’t working for me.
ROLL UPS
Do you remember getting a slice of cheese and bologna as a kid and rolling it up? Well I do, so I’m enjoying taking some turkey, wrapping it in spinach with some avocado and possibly a dollop of humms. 
NUTS 
A small does of nuts with say an orange, grapefruit or apple is always a good snack. I am a crazy nut lovin’ fool, so I have been actually reducing my nut eating…but every day I enjoy either a serving of raw cashews, raw almonds or nut butter.
PACKAGED
You can buy some packaged things like jello or low sugar popsicles, but I’m often concerned about the other ingredients in these…so I would say they are not an every day option. My one exception here is wasabi peas…oh I like them!! 
WHAT I LEARNED?
It’s only been a few weeks, so other than the sluggishness I mentioned in my goals post what I can say is that my hunger levels are finally getting back in check and my sugar cravings have dropped off significantly. I am going to continue choosing lower sugar options, minus my apple/nut butter snacks, but I am not eliminating any foods from my life permanently, everything has a place and time. I’ll keep you updated!
What is your go to snack? Do you strive for a certain amount of protein in a snack?
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Gratitude Journal
March 30
I am grateful for grilled chicken
I am grateful for crisp apples
I am grateful for feelings of calm
I am grateful for anniversary cards
I am grateful for anniversary happy wishes
25 comments:
I am working on my snacking. I tend to gravitate towards things I can pack to take on the go so end up with a lot of carrots/peanut butter (when I am not eating cookies... now you see my issue!) :)
My go-to snacks lately have been fruit and whole wheat crackers or yogurt. I've been trying to up my protein in my meals lately.
My go-to snack is definitely string cheese!! I love it.
I'm also trying to limit my sugar intake. Honestly, I just don't snack much. And when I do, I just nibble on pistachios or almonds that are in my desk drawer. I've also kept pumpkin or sunflower seeds there.
Re- low-fat string cheese: remember that fat is good for you! Go ahead and get the full fat version. It will fill you up more too.
my go to snack is granola bars...which I know are not the healthiest choice. But they're also not the least healthy choice.
I also love edamame which has some good protein in it and I chase every morning workout with a fruit/protein smoothie.
My usual snacks are fruit and cheese, or greek yogurt with kashi crunch mixed in. I don't really worry about my natural sugar intake from fruit and dairy. I do find if I try to skip my mid-morning snack I snack a lot more at night, and my usual evening snack is ice cream, so I am trying to avoid that one!
Thanks for the idea!! I never though about putting hummus with lunchmeat. It will be in my snack rotation from now on. I am working on less sugar and less processed as well, so I can definitely use any new ideas....keep 'em coming!!!
much love and big hugs!
I love a hard-boiled egg as a snack when I'm trying to up my protein. Delicious and filling.
I also skip most dairy and meat, so protein is always tough for me! Peanut Butter and raw almonds are my best friends :) Really love your blog!
Great ideas! Thanks for the suggestions!
My go-to snack is always almonds. Have to keep myself in check with them!
LOVE these--thanks for the great tips!!
I have a few go-to's: Greek yogurt, smoothies (instead of protein powder I use pasteurized egg whites), hard-boiled eggs, green apples dipped in cream cheese. I'm also not a cottage cheese lover, I try so hard to like it but I think the only place it belongs is lasagna!
I have several go to snacks. apple or banana with almond butter, greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds, kiwi, berries and honey, and kale “chips”. i love love love greek yogurt-it keeps me full!
Go-tos are fruit, nuts, veggies w/ hummus, hardboiled eggs and homemade granola bars (you control the sugar!).
I LOVE your turkey/spinach/avocado roll-up idea. MMMMMM!!
I love the laughing cow cheese on crackers or on apples. It's a great snack that tastes good! I also like yogurt. If you have Kroger brand near you they have a great one called carb balance that has 3 sugars and 8 protein. And it's really good. Pear flavor and chi vanilla are my favorites!
My go-to snack when I am craving sugar would be: DATES! Medjool dates are the sweetest things EVER! Sometimes I just need that sweet 'hit', you know? Go-to snack... baggie of raw cashews and raw almonds. I love all of your ideas :)
I saw rollups listed as a great kids snack and tried it out on my daughter - she wasnt sold. I never thought of eating them myself, but your pic (and description) actually sound good.
I made a mental note ;)
Lately I've been munching on hummus and mini bell peppers; just cut the tops off, slice them in half, and use the mini bells to scoop up the hummus. I also love Greek yogurt; my current fav combo is about a half teaspoon Nutella mixed into a half cup of plain Greek yogurt.
protein powder + water and peanut butter.. mmm
I am not always good about getting enough protein and I am def. bad about sugar. I crave bananas and love them as a snack although I honestly eat a lot of junk too.
Why not make your own hummus? So good! So Yummy!
ooooo thanks for posting this. i am trying really hard to cut back on sugar. my intake has gotten a bit out of control lately. these are great ideas!
Question - is hummus a source of protein when not paired with some sort of grain?
And PS - I ate a turkey sandwich this week!
i love my wasabi peas!!!
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