Exercising and eating a healthy diet not only helps you look wonderful, but it makes you feel wonderful as well. And when it comes to your big day, of course you want to look and feel wonderful! To help you stay on track, we asked for some healthy-snacking tips, recipes, and advice from trainers, chefs, and dieticians. Enjoy and happy snacking!
1. Cinnamon Nut Butter
Photo courtesy of Vitamix
Place the following ingredients into the order listed (for best results, use a high-performance blender like Vitamix or a food processor). Blend together until desired consistency is reached, about 1 minute.
2 cups roasted unsalted peanuts
1 cup hazelnuts or blanched almonds
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup roasted unsalted pecan pieces
“A variety of nuts blended with just a hint of cinnamon creates a nosh that’s beyond ordinary peanut butter. Slather it atop ripe pears, sliced apples, or celery sticks for a delicious pick-me-up snack.”
—Bev Shaffer, chef, recipe development and nutrition specialist at Vitamix
2. Green Energy Bars
1/4 cup hemp seeds
2 tsp wheatgrass powder
1 cup whole cashews
1 cup pitted Medjool dates
Mix the cashews, dates and wheatgrass powder together in a food processor just until a rough dough has formed (allowing some cashews to remain coarsely chopped).
Add the hemp seeds and pulse several times until combined.
Place a sheet of saran wrap on a cutting board and spill the dough out on top. Use your hands to press and form into a 1-inch-thick rectangle, then cut into 8 pieces. Wrap and keep in the freezer for long-term storage.
—Julie Morris, author, Superfood Smoothies (Sterling) and executive chef at Navitas Naturals
3. Bagelwich
“Instead of the usual PB and J, try a “bagelwich” made with bagel thins, scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon. The protein from the egg whites and the fats from the bacon will help keep you full (and who can say no to bacon, anyway?). Opt for turkey bacon for a leaner option and throw in some lettuce and tomato slices to up your veggie intake for the day.”
—Sohee Lee, trainer at Peak Performance in New York City.
4. Chocolate Banana Green Smoothie
“Whether you’ve just finished a grueling sweat session or you’re simply looking for a tasty blend to sip on, a protein shake that includes a scoop of chocolate whey protein, almond milk, banana and a handful of spinach is a winner. Don’t be fooled by the suspect-looking green shade — I promise you won’t be able to taste the spinach! Throw in a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter if you’re feeling adventurous.”
—Sohee Lee, trainer at Peak Performance in New York City.
5. Power-Packed Snack
“On your wedding day, the last thing you want is anything that will make you jittery or bloated (i.e., sugar or anything processed). The best snacks contain some protein or fat, such as hard-boiled eggs or half an avocado with a squeeze of lemon juice.”
—Dr. Frank Lipman, M.D., founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, NYC
6. Apple Pizzas
“Slice an apple into thin slices and top with Fage 0% yogurt, a handful of dried fruit, orange zest, cinnamon, flax seed and a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s a delicious combination of sweet, salty and crunchy.”
—Rebecca Fuller, RD, dietician, Fashion Institute of Technology and NYU Coles Sports Center, NYC
7. Banana “Ice Cream”
“Cut up a few bananas, freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then blend in a food processor until completely smooth. The results taste like ice cream, but without all the extra fat and preservatives.”
—Rebecca Fuller, RD, dietician, Fashion Institute of Technology and NYU Coles Sports Center, NYC
8. Roasted Chick-Peas
“If you crave crunchy and salty, try oven-roasted chick-peas. Drain, rinse, and pat dry one can of chick peas, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and ½ tsp salt in a bowl. Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes in a 400 degree oven, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent scorching.”
—Rebecca Fuller, RD, dietician, Fashion Institute of Technology and NYU Coles Sports Center, NYC
