Not to be confused with Zack Attack, the fictional rock band fronted by Zack Morris. Surely a fave with all of you nostalgics out there. Seriously, I had more comments on Monday's trip down memory lane than ANYTHING recently. Crazy kids.
Anyway.
I'm pretty predictable. It's mid-January, so I'm obviously on a trying-to-eat-better kick Who isn't, I know. It's harder than I thought, this whole eating well while being a SAHM. When I was working, I was on a good schedule, chugging my water at my desk all day, eating the same lunch most days of the week, bringing calorie-deprived snacks from home and eating them at the same time every day. It made things easy. Go home, work out, eat normal dinner, done. But now, no two days are the same.
Sure, we sort of have a schedule but mostly that's just for my tiny boss. There's no telling where I'm eating my meals, at what times, and shit, what am I going to dig up to feed myself when I just gave Gabe the last veggie burger? He's constantly trying to get into the cabinets, begging for food like a dog, so snacking is kind of a problem around here. I give him a good mix of graham & animal crackers, cereal bars, strawberries, apples and pears. What do I get? Usually half a sleeve of Ritz crackers and a string cheese while I'm picking up the Cheerio explosion that occurred the night before.
Moral of the story? If snacktime is all the time, then I needed some new snacks. These are my obsessions this week: All are actually enjoyable and give off the impression of being "good for you". In the past I did Weight Watchers and have been counting points for most of my adult life but I'm trying to lose that mindset and just go with overall stuff that isn't complete shit for me. I'll never be a processed, convenience-food-free kind of girl but it's all about making better choices, right?
1) I'm not sure what made me pick Trader Joe's Cinnamon Almonds off the shelf. Normally I couldn't care less about almonds or cinnamon flavor but I bought them anyway. And it works. Sweet, crunchy, all that jazz. The serving size is a 1/4 cup but I grab 3-5 nuts in passing and it does the trick.
2) Dudes, let's chat about Girl Scout Cookies. I live for one. The Samoa. I know they changed the name but call it what you will, it will always be the Samoa. (btw, Samoans do the humpty hump). Anyway, I've taste-tested every flavor of every fiber bar out there and this is the best one I've ever had. The caramel coconut fudge bar is basically a Samoa bar. Get some.
3) My mom has, admittedly, been on every diet known to man. When you grow up in a household like that, you get used to eating some crazy stuff that is usually made of chemicals and is trying to be passed off as tasting just like the original. If there's a low-fat, no calorie version of it, we've tried it. Anyway, my mom used to bring home meringue cookies and I was never, ever on board. They tasted like cardboard to me and I wanted nothing to do with them. For some reason, I tasted one recently and kinda dug it. So I picked up a pack of Mint Choco Chip ones. They.are.bang.in, Bangin. I love them so much I can hardly stand it.
4) I always forget about cereal any other time of day besides breakfast. But um, it's totally a viable snack. Yeah, my idea of a serving size and theirs is quite a bit different but I'm working on it. This cereal is currently on sale at target by the entrance. That's why I bought it. But it's good and I've bought it twice this week.
So there you go. Do you have any other easy ideas for me to add into my rotation? Suggestions of hummus will make me vom. Please don't suggest hummus.
8 comments:
This is a challenge for me, too! Snacks are a hard thing to make heathy. I also like veggies with low cal dip or hummus. So, I'll put them In IndiviDual bags so they are simple to grab. I actually try not to
Buy snacky foods Because I Have the tendency to Eat them in one sitting. But I'm kind of Samoa obsessed, so I may have to try those bars.
I really don't have any good recommendations either because I have to be really careful and put them into small baggies (like Kim) so I try to stick to carrots or string cheese. But my favorite unhealthy snack is Chex Mix. Oh and those kettle cooked chips.
I usually have yogurt as a morning snack. I buy either the lowfat Chobani Greek yogurt--it has less sugar and more protein than other varieties so it's filling. Or, I buy the Yoplait light varieties b/c they are usually on sale and under 100 calories. They make a chocolate whipped variety that's extra tasty if you stick it in the freezer for awhile.
For a choco craving (healthier than Nutella): http://www.justinsnutbutter.com/ BOMB! They come in little packets and they are available at Target. Yay!
Also, Mulberrys! Super yummy, good for you and energizing (which we mammas need!): http://www.amazon.com/Kopali-Organics-Mulberry-Ounce-Pouch/dp/B001VIRCGK
I am so going to Traders and grabbing some of those almonds; awesome!
crackers and peanut butter! I make a bunch while the monster is napping and save them for later, Lots of protein, and the make me thirsty so I drink more water.
I swear I am the only person on Earth who never called them Samoans. They were always Caramel Delights to me.
Fiber One Bars and I have a seriously unhealthy relationship. I convince myself that I can buy a box without eating the entire thing in one sitting...without fail, I cave...then feel like death due to fiber overload.
In other words: agreed. Delish.
I might not be your best advisor, given that I'm on a diet called "Thank God I Never Have to Wear a Wedding Dress Again". But, my other snacks consist of berries (when in season), bananas and pre-popped cheesy popcorn. By the handful.
Most of the time, these are eaten infront of the TV. Or the computer. Or at my desk at work. ;)
Damn. It. I read this post seconds before going grocery shopping. And guess what I had to buy?
The faux-Samoas.
I will never be the same. I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you. And I don't have Trader Joe's anywhere close so I *may* need someone to start mailing me those nuts.
Other things I love when trying to be reasonable... Special K Fruit Crisps, cocoa dusted almonds, and Green Giant Steamers bagged veggies with sauce.
P.S. I've already eaten two faux-Samoas.
I love snacking- it's a curse. What about greek yogurt with fruit, honey and granola. We got chocolate animal crackers, and they weren't bad. Edamame is a good salty snack.
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