If you want to keep your energy levels up to chase your kids around, healthy snacks need to be in your arsenal, mama. Rebecca Gawthorne from Nourish Naturally shares her fav go-to grabs.
By Rebecca Gawthorne, Nourish Naturally
Mums are the ultimate snack bitches!
We always carry enough food to feed our tribe for a month. But when it comes to nourishing and feeding ourselves, we survive on a series of short snack opportunities that become ‘grab and go affairs’.
To keep your energy levels up, healthy snacks need to be in your arsenal. Life is all about balance babe.
Energy boosting snacks that every mama needs
1. Fibre keeps you fuller for longer
Hunger pangs can be a major challenge for parents who are constantly on the go… feeding your kids but neglecting yourself, we’ve all been there.
The key to keeping fuller for longer is to reach for high-fibre snacks like whole-grains because they’re an epic source of vitamins and antioxidants.
These food types replenish your cells while keeping hunger levels at bay for longer.
Tip: DIY oat bars are a winner. My favourite combo is oats, seeds, nuts, some dried fruits, a splash of extra virgin olive oil and a little sweetener like honey or maple syrup if you have a sweet tooth. Just mix all of the ingredients together, flatten into a baking tray and cook until golden brown. Delish!
2. Think practical and go one-handed
Sometimes having two hands free isn’t an option, especially if you have a youngster who needs spoon feeding or if you are breastfeeding.
The secret is opting for snacks which can be held in one hand and are fairly solid aka not messy.
Tip: Bananas are an excellent source of healthy energy-boosting carbs and B vitamins for brain function! Green bananas are also a fantastic source of prebiotics which help maintain your gut health and boost your immunity, making you less susceptible to illness. Who would have thought?!
3. Drink your nutrients
When you’re on the go, it’s not always easy to get all the nutrients you need… that’s where a DIY juice comes in handy.
Natural juices made with raw ingredients not only give you a hydration kick, but also fuel your cells for better performance, to help you push through the afternoon of entertaining demanding children!
My fav ingredients are:
Carrot: rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants linked to reducing the risks of some cancers
Kale: low fat, highly nutrient-dense and can help lower cholesterol over time
Celery: rich in vitamin K required for maintaining bone health
Ginger: anti-inflammatory, reduces muscle pain with anti-diabetic properties
Apple: linked to reduce risk of heart disease, contain prebiotic and is rich in vitamins and minerals
If you don’t have the time to whip up a juice yourself (and who could blame you?) there are loads of healthy ready-made options available.
Just make sure you read the nutritional label to ensure they are only using natural ingredients and there’s no added sugar.
