Energy Intensive Snacks

[DrakeMaiden]

It seems like it is always in the spring and fall that I get hungry and low on energy in the afternoon and need to snack in order to make it until dinner time. (Longer days and more things to do) I try to avoid snacking otherwise. So I don't actually keep snack foods around and unfortunately this can lead to me raiding the sweet stash (chocolate or whatever I may have baked for desserts). What do you guys recommend for a relatively healthy snack? In the fall I usually have fresh fruit around, but this time of year I don't, so I have tried dried fruit and have made my own trail mix . . . . but I'm not always in the mood for those things. Thoughts?

 

[farmerlor]

I'm all about fat for snacks. LOL! Give me a hunk of cheese or some cream cheese on celery or yogurt or peanut butter and I'm just as happy as I can be.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Yeah, agreed, peanut butter works well for me too. Though I think maybe guacamole sounds a little tastier to me right now.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

OK, I found an old recipe that was my mother's, probably from the 80's. I used to like it, but I think I might alter a few of the ingredients (like milk powder) and try it again:

Energy Zaps

2 cups fresh peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup non-instant milk powder
1/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sunflower seed meal
1 cup raw wheat germ
1/4 cup currants
1/2 cup carob powder
water

Blend ingredients together using tiny amount of water, if necessary, to give a good consistency. Form into a log. Chill. Slice as needed.

Anyone have anything similar?

 

[patandchickens]

I either eat a piece of cheese, or cheese and a pickle, or melt some cheese into a rolled-up w/w tortilla in the microwave.

Peanutbutter on a cracker is good too.

Pat

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Now you have me drooling over the idea of melted cheese in a tortilla with guacamole. LOL

 

[farmerlor]

OK, I found an old recipe that was my mother's, probably from the 80's. I used to like it, but I think I might alter a few of the ingredients (like milk powder) and try it again:

Energy Zaps

2 cups fresh peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup non-instant milk powder
1/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sunflower seed meal
1 cup raw wheat germ
1/4 cup currants
1/2 cup carob powder
water

Blend ingredients together using tiny amount of water, if necessary, to give a good consistency. Form into a log. Chill. Slice as needed.

Anyone have anything similar?

Mmmmm, that sounds good. I might throw in some molasses and cinnamon and you're right, the milk powder has to go.....needs some dates too. Gonna try that, thanks!

 

[freemotion]

I find that if I have a relatively high protein breakfast and lunch, with a few high fiber veggies and skip any refined foods or high-sugar (even natural sugars like in juices) I will have more sustained energy. I save my high-carbo snacks for when I don't need so much energy, like supper or after supper. Made a huge difference for me.

One of my grandma's looked like an Eskimo when she was younger, so I likely have genetics to thrive on a high-fat, high-protein diet. Can't do low-carb, though, it makes me cranky and sleepless and lots of nightmares. So I have learned to adjust when I eat things on days when I have to work hard and be clear-headed for a long time....

So quick snacks would also be cheese, yogurt, milk products like hot chocolate with stevia, not sugar. Also boiled eggs are a quick grab-n-go, and a fruit shake with yogurt and/or a raw egg (from my healthy free-ranging flock only.)

Nuts and peanuts would work, too. I'll eat a jar of boiled peanuts and I'm good to go dig and clean and generally run and sweat for a few more hours.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Farmerlor -- Glad you liked the recipe. I recall it tasted good . . . adding cinnamon sounds like a great idea! I might try dried fig in it myself.

Freemotion -- Yes, I have noticed that nuts are a great energy source . . . coconut too . . . I base my homemade trail mix on dried coconut and it seems to work really well for me . . . maybe too well. If I eat it and then dig in the garden etc. for a few hours I sometimes can't eat much dinner. LOL

 

[me&thegals]

Nuts and dried fruit! Maybe toss in some dark choc chips

Here's a recipe called something like Energy Balls. The kids love them and they're a little ball of energy that can be eaten on the run:

Energy Balls
(1/2 cup each)
oats
peanut butter
protein powder
sesame seeds

honey (1/4 cup only)

Stir oats, peanut butter, protein powder, honey and 1/2 of the sesame seeds until well combined. Roll into 1" balls. Roll in remaining sesame seeds. Can be frozen.