Snack Attack: Flattened Banana

Trader Joe’s is a magical place where all your wishes and dreams come true. That’s all I’m trying to say with this post. Every time I walk into that place, I come out with five times more food than I ever intended to buy. One of those impromptu purchases on my last TJ’s run was this package of joy: dried flattened bananas.

Don’t get me wrong, I love fresh bananas, but sometimes I can’t eat them before they get too mushy. Enter dried bananas. They last forever and so does their amazingness. Great on sandwiches, topped with almond or peanut butter, wrapped around nuts or other dried fruit, wherever your imagination takes you. Personally, I can’t imagine a better dessert than one of these babies spread with PB or other nut butter and topped with dark chocolate chips or shredded coconut. I’m drooling a little bit just thinking about it.

I maintain that for every processed food-like substance, there’s a healthy, natural alternative (that’s JUST AS TASTY, if not more). Artificial fruit roll-ups? A thing of the past. Real banana roll-ups? The wave of the future.

Friday Day in Food

Mid-morning snack, 10:30am: Keylime Pie LARABAR, which of course I ate before I could take a picture. Not my favorite flavor, but all LARABARs are delicious to me. (200 cals)

Eating breakfast at 7:30am is a little too early for me. I’m hungry again well before lunch, but I guess it’s all good as long as I have a snack to tide me over.

Friday Day in Food (my camera battery died, so this is NOT exactly what I ate)

Afternoon snack, 3:45pm: TJ’s apricot fruit bar (the second from left in this pic), 1 oz raw goat cheddar cheese, ~150 cals

One of my favorite snacks for easy, portable protein (the “light” version has slightly less fat/fewer calories, but both kinds are Nutritionista-approved).

(via walpaper)

Unlikely, yet delicious, dessert or snack: Dried Date and Almond Butter Sandwich

I just had one but didn’t take a pic… this one is foodsthatfit’s. GO CRAZY: Try it with other dried fruits and nut butters!

My New Love: Vita Coco

I’ve been reading about coconut water all over the nutrition blogging world and have been meaning to try it. I finally picked some up at Whole Foods and let me tell you… It. Is. Fabulous. Sixty calories for the whole thing, more satisfying than juice or water, and only one ingredient: coconut water. Vita Coco’s website says the drink has:

• the 5 essential electrolytes: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous
• more potassium than a banana (don’t tell the monkeys) & 15 times more potassium than the leading sports drink
• potassium which helps regulate blood pressure, heart function and enhances the hydration process
• properties which promote smoother more hydrated skin
• no artificial sweetners and is low in carbohydrates

I don’t know about smoother skin or electrolytes, but this stuff is TASTY. Just the right amount of sweetness. I’m always on the look out for beverages that are naturally low-calorie yet flavorful. I vote YES on coconut water.

Snack Attack!

I’m always telling you guys to snack on fruits and nuts (together, because the carbs from the fruit with the protein/fat from the nuts combines for maximum energy). But if you’re too lazy to do even that, try LARABAR. It combines the fruits and nuts for you to create a delicious ~200 calorie snack.

I love Coconut Creme Pie (not pictured) and Banana Cookie. My favorite part about these bars is they only contain around 3-5 ingredients (usually something like cashews, dates, unsweetened banana). Nothing weird, nothing processed, just plain old food.

Snack Attack!

Lite string cheese or Babybel cheese is a good way to get a little dose of healthy protein and low-fat dairy. Pair with a piece of fruit for the perfect to-go snack. One serving has 50-70 calories and around 6-8 grams of protein, plus some calcium.