The past few weeks, I’ve felt like I’m in a snack rut. Generally, I’ve felt like I haven’t been eating nearly as healthy as I want to. I eat healthy on average, but I feel like I’ve become lazy with getting WHOLE foods into my diet.
I’ve also had a busier than usual and ever-changing work schedule lately. The busier I get, the lazier I seem to get with healthy eating. I guess somewhere in my head I think that I don’t have time to eat healthy if I’m busy. Thus, my easy go-to snack these days are snack bars. Quick, portable, and no prep at all.
What I really mean, though, is that I am a snack bar addict. Check out my snack stash.
Could be worse, right? That’s what I always tell myself when I get snack bars. I could be eating snack bars with high fructose corn syrup. I could be eating cookies instead. And I realize Cheez-its are not snack bars, but they were with all my snacky stuff in the pantry. Oh, and I NEVER buy Cheez-its. This is a new low.
Anyway – snack bars are still processed. And they’re kind of like a sweet to me. I just got into BelVita a few weeks back. I seriously am addicted to the blueberry one. But when I was chowing down on one the other day, my hubby comes over and asks, “What are those?” I have no idea what kind of smarty pants answer I tried to muster up to claim that BelVita was “healthy,” but he responded with, “So, it’s basically a cookie.”
The hubs is right (yes, dear, I admit it). Truthfully, it’s a substitute cookie for me. Most snack bars are sweet, have sugar, or have chocolate. How the heck can that really be “healthy?” Why am I not eating fresh fruit or something better?
Some healthy snack options I came up with instead of snack bars are…
- hummus & pita bread or fresh veggies
- an apple with peanut butter or cheese
- fruit salad
- a pear
- mixed veggies: peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery
- Greek yogurt & granola
- ants on a log!
- grapes
I’m totally digging on pears lately. Mmm!
Much better than a chocolate covered snack bar with 90% organic slapped on it, eh?
Change, Please
Time for change? Yes, please. I feel as if every day every now and then, my eating habits need a good swift kick in the butt and they need some VARIETY. So the other night I decided…
meal planning for the next week. Goal: buy NO processed anything & incorporate lots of veggies. #healthyeating #fitfluential
— Melissa(@free2bimperfect) March 7, 2013
I almost succeeded! The only processed thing I bought were some Newman’s Own Fig Newtons for the hubby’s lunch because I know he likes them. 
Veg out on Veggies
My husband and I agreed this week that we really don’t do a very good job of eating our veggies. We decided to come up with meals that would incorporate more veggies.
Oh, hiiii, Veggies!
This week for dinner, some veggie-filled meals we’re eating are…
- BBQ chicken & corn (not the best veggie, but we love corn)
- Pork roast with mushroom rissotto (from scratch) and brussel sprouts
- Asian noodle bowls, made with mixed stir fry veggies
- Tomato soup & paninis
- BLTs! Lettuce & tomato count, right?
And for lunch, some veg-ified meals I’m having are…
- Veggie wrap: sauteed onions, peppers, and zucchini in a whole wheat tortilla with cheese
- Chicken, tomato, spinach, & pesto panini
- Chicken quesadilla with peppers & onions
- Mango green smoothie (mango, banana, spinach, water)
I’m not trying to eat only veggies. But this is a small step in the right direction. I even managed to clean out the fridge after grocery shopping today.
And trust me, a full veggie drawer is usually a rare occurance in this household!
Questions for you:
- Favorite & least favorite veggie?
- What’s your opinion on snack bars?
Ok so I was going crazy for a second. I clicked on your comment to reply and accidentally clicked your name, which opened the webpage. I saw this post that I didn’t see earlier and didn’t appear in my google reader and immediately was like um, how did I miss this! Turns out, you just posted it and google reader can stay
This post was awesome. I was so excited when you agreed to share 
I have been stuck with lunches and how I can incorporate more veggies, and you nailed it! I am going to have to bookmark this for after my trip when I start making them again. Everything sounded so yummy!
Heather @fitncookies recently posted…Picking Our Bridal Party
That’s too funny. I can see why you freaked out though because I normally post really early in the morning. A late afternoon post is rare for me.
Maybe someday I’ll do a healthy lunch recipes round up post. I get so bored/in a rut with lunches too. But there are so many options if you’re just willing to try new things.
I’m a snack bar addict too. I reallyyyy love the kashi protein and fiber bars. But when I know I shouldn’t be eating any more of them, I switch to pretzels, carrots, popcorn, grapes, and apples. All a bit cheaper then having a subscription to a bar every month
Sarah @pickyrunnerSarah @Pickyrunner recently posted…Happiest 800 of the year
Sounds like you’ve got a great week of meals! I definitely need to start eating healthier again. I mostly plan my meals ahead, but I like the idea of planning at least one veggie into every meal too. ‘Tis smart!
Katie recently posted…My Favorite Things
Yay! I’ve been working on this too — lots of whole foods. This week, snacking and lunch have been easy, but dinner has been very difficult. Getting home at 8 or 9 at night and still having homework and stuff… I’ve been eating a lot of pasta. Which isn’t bad, and I mix in broccoli. It’s just not good to have it every night!
Abbey recently posted…In case you missed it…
You go girl! I’ve been feeling the same way lately! So I’m trying incorporate healthier snacks too! I love snack bars but I can’t get them too much or I’m just have too many. Some of my favorite healthy snacks are cut up veggies and hummus, greek yogurt, and fruit with nut butter!
Maureen @ Breaking Free & Finding Me recently posted…It’s Friday, Friday
I love stir fry, it’s the best way for me to get veggies personally. Do you like spinach other than blended? I love it raw on sandwiches (instead of lettuce) and cooked down into sauces.
Do you have a tomato soup recipe you enjoy? I have never eaten tomato soup that didn’t come out of a can.
Chelsea recently posted…Menu Plan- 3/11