By Elaine Brisebois

Satisfy your hunger and avoid dips in blood sugar with the following healthy snacks.

Whether you’re at the office, at school, or running errands around town, these snacks are perfectly portable and will help keep the belly growls at bay until your next meal.

These snacks provide a nice balance of healthy carbs, protein, and fat to leave you feeling satisfied while also keeping your blood sugar stabilized so you don’t experience any energy crashes later.

The idea with healthy snacking is to take the edge off your hunger without leaving you so full that you spoil your next meal – unless of course that next meal is nowhere in sight, or a really long way away!

Of course reaching for a piece of fruit or some raw veggies will always be an ideal in-between meal snack, however, if reaching for an apple or some carrot sticks isn’t going to cut it, here are some snacks that will!

DIY Trail Mix

Combine your favorite raw nuts, seeds, dried fruit, spices and other favorite ingredients. Whether you’re commuting home from work or sitting at your desk, trail mix is the perfect portable snack to pack with you in your bag so you don’t get caught hungry. When it comes to making your own recipe the variations are endless. Store your mixture in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for optimal freshness. Here’s a recipe to get you started but feel free to swap the ingredients listed for your personal favorites. Combine the following:

– ¼ cup of pumpkin seeds
– ¼ cup of sunflower seeds
– ½ cup of raw almonds
– ¼ cup dried coconut pieces or flakes
– ¼ cup of raisins
– ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips (optional)

Bean-based Dips

Beans and legumes are packed with healthy carbs, proteins and fibre. Dips made with chickpeas (hummus), white beans, black beans, or other varieties can be found at the grocery store or can be easily whipped up at home. Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons of dip served up with some healthy flaxseed or wholegrain crackers, or for a lighter option serve up your dip with your favorite raw vegetables such as carrot, cucumber, or celery sticks.

Nut and Seed Butters

Did you know that there’s a whole world of butters beyond peanut? Almond, hazelnut, cashew, sesame (aka tahini), pumpkin, sunflower, and so on.  Filled with healthy fats and protein, nut and seed butters are the perfect snack to satisfy your hunger and keep you feeling satiated until your next meal. Look for natural butters that have no added ingredients beyond oil or sea salt, and make sure it has no added sugars. Also, once opened always store it in the fridge.

Here are some favorite ways to enjoy it:

– Spread it on 1-2 rice cakes or wholegrain crackers
– Dip apple or pear slices in 1 tbsp of nut or seed butter
– Fill celery sticks with nut or seed butter and top with a few raisins or goji berries to make “ants on a log” (remember this childhood classic?)

Cabbage Roll-Ups

If you’re looking for something a little more hardy and meal-like, cabbage roll-ups are the perfect snack. Simply take a few cabbage leaves and fill with sprouts, sliced tomato, a few slices of your favorite cheese and a bit of Dijon mustard and roll them up. You can also make them dairy-free by swapping the cheese for avocado slices. These roll-ups are crunchy, light, and refreshing. Enjoy!

Raw Chocolate Energy Bombs

If you have a sweet tooth these are the perfect snack for you! These bite sized energy “bombs” are a combination of seeds, dates, cacao powder, and coconut. Get the recipe here or make up your own! If you’re craving something sweet having 2 or 3 of these little bites will hit the spot. Don’t have the time or desire to whip these up yourself? Take 2-3 dates and stuff them with your favorite nuts or seeds for a similar taste without the preparation.

Here’s to healthy snacking and feeling good!