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Power Muffins

6 Smart Snacks to Keep you Energized

Life is busy. So snack smart! Smart snacks taste great and have some nutritional value to keep you energized throughout the day. How to snack smart:

  • Stock up on quick and easy smart snacks like fruit, veggie sticks, yogurt or cheese that you like best. This way you will reach for something healthy when you need a boost.
  • Snack when you have lots of time between meals. If you eat lunch at noon and supper’s at 6:00 pm, a snack around 4:00 pm will give you energy to do homework, go to soccer practice or that last meeting of the day.
  • Eat until you are just full. When you’re fueling up between meals, you don’t need to eat until you are stuffed, especially if a meal is right around the corner!  If you’re doing something active it’s OK to fuel up with a bigger snack.
  • Pack a great snack. Something you will look forward to eating. Then when you are on the run, you won’t be tempted by less healthy snacks. Sturdy, unsquishable snacks for on the go:  apples, raisins or nuts.

Try these 6 tasty and healthy smart snack recipes:

1. Power Muffins

With 8 grams of fibre, these power muffins are great as a grab-n-go breakfast. Alternatively, try them as a morning or mid-afternoon snack to keep you going!
Recipe and image courtesy of Eggs.ca.

Power-Muffins

2. Crispy Chickpeas and Pumpkin Seeds with Lime

Fuel your next exercise bout or begin your post-exercise recovery with this tasty snack that is rich in fiber and a good source of protein.
Recipe and image courtesy of CanolaInfo.

Crispy-Chickpeas-and-Pumpkin-Seeds-with-Lime

3. Cocoa Coconut Banana Smoothie

Cocoa, banana and coconut are a scrumptious combination and this smoothie captures them all in a thick, satisfying drink. It’s just the thing to enjoy after a workout, as a snack, or as a dessert.
Recipe and image courtesy of DairyFarmersofCanada.ca.

Cocoa-Coconut-Banana-Smoothie

4. Multigrain Carrot, Date & Mustard Muffins

Hearty and nutritious, these muffins make a quick grab-and-go breakfast or afternoon snack. Studded with nuts and yellow mustard seed for crunch, the muffins also have a delicious sweetness from the carrots and dates, and the benefit of being packed with whole grains. These muffins are lovely on their own, or with a good cup of coffee, but lightly spread with butter or cream cheese they are magnificent. The recipe makes a large batch, but the muffins freeze well and can be enjoyed when you’re on the go.
Recipe and image courtesy of Spread The Mustard.

Multigrain-Carrot-Date-Mustard-Muffins

5. Coconut & Banana Lentil Energy Bites

These bite-size energy bites make the perfect after school snack to help keep your kids going until supper.
Recipe and image courtesy of Lentils.org.

Coconut-Banana-Lentil-Energy-Bites

6. Flax and Peanut Butter Energy Orbs

No-bake energy orbs are a quick and easy snack, breakfast or dessert.
Recipe and image courtesy of HealthyFlax.org.

Flax-and-Peanut-Butter-Energy-Orbs