If youve ever planned on eating healthy throughout the day and then finished work only to decide to drive through somewhere quick instead, then you certainly understand that healthy eating requires planning, and time! While snacking can be great for you, its often spontaneous, which means that the snack you choose to indulge in is not always the best for you. Chips, candy and even ice cream are all foods that we label as snacks and use to curb our cravings. While these snacks arent adding any nutrients to your diet, there are several snacks out there that will! By keeping healthy, flavorful snacks on hand and having a game plan, you can turn these snack-able moments into a healthy way to boost your energy. Plus, indulging in snacks regularly can also help curb unhealthy cravings and assist in making better food choices.

When to Snack

Now that you know that snacking can be great for you, it brings us to our next question. When to snack? While it might be your routine to take a mid-morning break from work and grab a snack, that isnt always the healthiest idea. Instead of making snacking a part of your routine, its essential to snack when youre hungry. If you notice that your stomach starts growling a few hours after breakfast and you have the urge to snack on something, then you should! Snacking on a mid-morning superfood snack can help you along in your health goals. Quieting your rumbling belly with something nutritious will help keep you full until lunch or dinnertime. And while you still might be a little hungry by your next meal, you wont have severe hunger pains that could lead you to choose fast food over nutritious food.

How to Snack

[caption id="attachment_1176912" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Apple Muesli Sandwiches[/caption] When snacking, you want to treat each snack like a mini-meal. Whether youre at work or home when snacking, its best not to multitask. Taking the time to enjoy your food and all of its flavors will help your body associate your snack with satisfaction and a feeling of fullness. To elevate your snack time even further, try placing your snack on a plate.

What to Snack On

We know that mindful snacking can be good for you and weve covered when to snack; now lets discuss what to snack on. When choosing foods to snack on, keep in mind that a snack should be a quick boost of energy, not a full meal. This means that generally, snacks will be lower in calories than a full meal. Its also essential to choose a snack that is packed with fiber and protein Its also essential to choose a snack that is packed with fiber and protein such as snacks with oats or nut butters. Protein and fiber will help keep you full and satisfied. Staying fuller for longer will keep you from getting the urge to reach for another snack before your next meal. Keep scrolling for a few of our favorite superfood snack ideas for the whole family.

Apple Muesli Sandwiches

Are you trying to limit your trips to the grocery store? Or maybe youre just determined to use all the ingredients in your pantry before running out to buy more. Whatever your reasoning may be, three-ingredient recipes like these Apple Muesli Sandwiches can help keep you productive in the kitchen, and even the kiddos will be satisfied. This superfood food snack only requires three ingredients to make and taste delicious. Plus, its jam-packed with nutrients and combines three flavorful superfoods: apple, muesli and nut butter. Enjoy this snack at home on a Sunday afternoon or pack it as a part of your kids lunch. Making this treat is easy!

After School Oaty Snack Bars

While fruits and veggies are incredible for you, eating an abundance of them can get boring. Instead of snacking on veggies this week, change up your routine and munch on whole grains, nuts, and seeds instead! Even the most committed plant-based eaters crave sweets once in a while, and thats okay! To help you combat your sugar cravings, weve come up with these healthy After School Oaty Snack Bars. The perfect blend of sweet and salty, this plant-powered recipe is sure to satisfy. Loaded with superfood ingredients like Regular Rolled Oats, Coconut Flakes and Flaxseed Meal, these bars are a fantastic way to step up your snack game.

Apple Blueberry Granola

Starting your day with a healthy dose of protein is important. Because mornings are hectic and its not always easy to put together a healthy protein-packed breakfast, weve created this Apple Blueberry Granola. Easy and tasty, our Apple Berry Granola is made with whole grain oats and sweetened with cane sugar. Enjoy this granola as a delicious breakfast cereal or an easy on-the-go snack. This granola offers iron, fiber and protein and is a wonderful way to enjoy whole grains. Not a fan of apples? Check out our other granola flavors here.

Super Snacking Popcorn

Do you love snacking but resent the calories that go along with it? We completely understand, which is why we are in love with this Super Snacking Popcorn Recipe. To create this popcorn, stir together a delicious mix of superfood ingredients like coconut flakes, organic pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds. Topped with coconut oil and sweet maple syrup, its the perfect snack to indulge in when you're craving a sweet treat. Or, for a spicy alternative, add teaspoon chili powder and teaspoon cayenne pepper!

Spinach Quinoa Bites

Though many of us crave savory snacks, its not something we indulge in often. The truth is, sweet, unhealthy snacks or processed foods are much easier to come by. To ensure sure that youre making the smartest food choices, try preparing a snack like these Spinach and Quinoa Bites beforehand. Having these healthy bites readily available to you can help keep you from reaching for unhealthy snacks out of convenience. With generous amounts of Organic Grain Quinoa and Golden Flaxseed Meal, this delicious dish turns into a snack that is packed with nutrients. Serve these Spinach Quinoa Bites on a platter with marinara sauce, or as a vegetarian substitute for meatballs. Still not convinced that youre snacking properly? Try following these five tips for smarter snacking:

Tips for Smarter Snacking

Eat More Grains

Indulging in whole grain snacks is a great way to boost your bodys energy while also providing it with the nutrients it needs. Oatmeal, roasted quinoa and even homemade granola bars are all delicious grain-filled snacks that you can enjoy.

Eat Breakfast

Eating breakfast will help keep unnecessary snacking at bay. Plus, if you have leftovers after breakfast, you can always save them for a snack later in the day! Granola, toast, a breakfast smoothie with protein powder, and even overnight oats are all great breakfast foods that can be repurposed as a snack.

Combine Superfood Snacks

If youre snacking on the same thing every day, your taste buds are bound to get bored. If boredom is the case, try combining two of your favorite superfood snacks together. This new burst of flavor and balanced superfoods will undoubtedly keep you feeling satisfied.

Snack Mindfully

[caption id="attachment_1175398" align="aligncenter" width="770"] Super Snacking Popcorn[/caption] While we touched on the importance of keeping multitasking at a minimum, this includes refraining from tasks like surfing the internet, working and even watching tv. Instead, take a few minutes to treat your snack time like mealtime!

Plan Ahead

One of the most important tips out there, planning out the healthful snacks youll indulge in throughout the week, will keep you from turning to an unhealthy snack like cookies to curb your craving. Plus, planning and making your snacks ahead of time can also save you money. Keeping snacks on hand can minimize your weekly trips to the coffee shop or vending machine! For snacking success, we recommend setting aside time each week to plan your snacks out in advance. Once planned, create a shopping list of all ingredients needed and prep/bake your snacks beforehand. Choosing a day to prep your snacks all at once will save you loads of time throughout the week when your days might be busier. Choosing the right superfood snack recipes for your family is an important task. Making sure each snack is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients will help keep your family feeling their best. From apple berry granola to super snacking popcorn, these health-boosting snacks can easily be incorporated into any well-balanced diet. Make these snacks ahead of time, or round up the family and spend some quality time in the kitchen. We hope this article has given you ideas and tips on how to incorporate some of these tasty snacks into your weekly menu. Are you a fan of superfood snacking? Share your favorite snack recipes in the comments below!