Snack Bin

Having snacks throughout your day in between meals is an important healthy habit for your body. Having a snack bin makes it that much easier to get started with this habit! 

This snack bin will last me about 1 week and it only took me about 20-30 min to prepare.

Why snack in between meals?

1. Prevents overeating

Snacking between meals will prevent you from becoming too hungry at meal times. Becoming too hungry before meals can lead to overeating and feeling uncomfortably stuffed. If you need help listening to your hunger cues check out the post on the Hunger Fullness Scale. Next time you are hungry an hour or two before your next meal have snack to tide you over instead of waiting.

2. Regulates blood sugar levels

Snacking also prevents your body from having rapid insulin spikes after meals especially if your meals are high in carbohydrates. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to break down the sugar in our blood so we can absorb the energy. Constant insulin spikes after meals can lead to insulin resistance/diabetes.

3. Provides nutrients

Snacks can help meet your nutrient needs throughout the day as long as you are choosing the proper snacks. Your snacks should be nutrient dense foods and should include a source of protein and carbohydrate.

What can I have in my snack bin?

• Whole grain crackers - I will have cheese in the fridge to go with them

• Rice cakes - this is usually a snack that I'll have when I’m at home because I like to spread a nut butter with a banana on top

• 2-cup Popcorn bags - plain! Popcorn is actually a great source of fibre

• Fruit cups (in water) or unsweetened apple sauce

• Trail mix - in my trail mix I like to include a dried fruit like cranberries or raisins along with my favourite nuts that I choose from bulk barn. You could even add some dark chocolate as a treat every once in a while.

• Roasted Chick peas - this is a great treat snack to have instead of chips, they have more fibre and protein! Check out my recipe here

In the fridge?

• Energy balls - essentially a healthy treat ball, SO delicious. Check out my classic recipe here

• Yogurt with fruit and Bran Buds - I buy the tubs of Greek yogurt and I prepare little yogurt containers with frozen fruit so it's easy to grab and go. Then I like to add the Bran Buds just before eating to give it a nice crunch.

• Veggie bags - carrots, cucumber, cherry tomatoes…etc. Whatever you love into sandwich bags or reusable containers so it’s easy to grab and go. I also like having my veggies with hummus.

• Hard boiled eggs - these are quick and easy protein snacks for on the go!