You really shouldn’t eat while watching TV. This website says so.
Even in the face of evidence, however profound, I’m an unabashed couch-snacker. This is not to say that I snack on couches (which are difficult to digest), but I snack when I’m on the couch, which is different. I eat in front of the TV OFTEN…and with lackadaisical intent.
Unfortunately, snacking is one of those dangerous areas that can completely wreck your healthy lifestyle. If you aren’t prepared (which I’m sure I’ve mentioned before), you can end up on the wrong end of 10 pounds and progress.
However, because of your faithfulness and loyalty, my four faithful readers, I will share with you some of my snack Kung Fu: snacks that take 10 minutes or less (hopefully less) to make, but stave off the need for something more destructive to my diet. I will leave it to you to determine the worthiness of my skills, grasshopper.
Fruit. Duh.
We keep fruit in the house as often as possible. Not only do I eat fruit as my breakfast when I’m in a rush, but it’s also great for a satisfying treat in-between meals.
Dr. Esselstyn limits you to three pieces of fruit per day on his diet, and I find that’s plenty.
I stick to apples, oranges, grapes and bananas for the most part, but I’ve been working on expanding my fruit horizons…which, of course, makes me a better person.
Fruit Sandwich. Huh?
One of my favorite snacks is also one of the simplest. It’s a simple fruit sandwich…but so much more.
I toast two pieces of Ezekiel Bread and slice a banana into a couple of thick slices, laying them lengthwise on the bread…you know…for more coverage.
Then, I take just a tablespoon (or two?) of pure maple syrup and pour it over the bananas.
Finally, I sprinkle on a teaspoon or two of cinnamon.
Close sandwich. Eat. It’s so delicious. I have it for breakfast sometimes, too.
You don’t want to eat it everyday, mind you. Maple syrup isn’t exactly topping the great foods list, but it’s great to widen your snack choices during the week.
Veggies and Dip. Also, kind of duh.
Fruits and veggies make great snacks not only because they taste great, but the fiber and water content make them satisfying snacks, too. The dip is just bonus, really.
I’ve shared my Black Bean “Hummus” recipe with all of you previously, but there are plenty of places to find great hummus or dip recipes.
Engine 2 Diet, the diet created by Dr. Esselstyn’s son, Rip, has a recipe for a more traditional hummus, which could be a great dip for a range of veggies. And for those vegans who can have tahini and oil, you’ll find a lot of great hummus recipes on Chow, Food.com and more. Always check out Happy Herbivore’s recipes, too. Her food is so good!
Dry Cereal
If you’re a long-time vegan, you may have become accustomed to the taste of Almond Milk or one of the handful of other dairy substitutes. I have not warmed to Almond Milk as of yet, but have occasionally dabbled in Coconut Milk, which I’m slowly beginning to enjoy.
Before I dabbled in non-dairy milk, however, I would find different cereals that were okay to eat (see Jane Esselstyn’s “Safe Food List” on the “My Journey” page), and just snack on it dry. It was definitely satisfying, and with the right cereal, strangely addictive. I had to restrain myself on occasion.
Kashi has some great tasting cereals that are free from any Esselstyn Violations. Just make sure the cereal is free of oil, is made from whole wheat and grains, and doesn’t have many more than five or six ingredients all told (much more and you start getting into the highly processed foods, which are generally a no-no).
Popcorn with Caveats.
Air-popped popcorn (which I’ve mentioned before) can be a great snack for movie nights, when you’re craving the oil-popped, butter-laden original. Spray (read “mist”) your popcorn with water, lime juice or other fruit juice and sprinkle on your favorite complementary toppings.
It’s a great way to take a normally bland snack and jazz it up.
Were you four faithful readers patrons of a better site, you would presently find yourself heaving breathlessly from the awesomeness of what I just shared. As it is…you have me.
I know these are not earth-shattering snacks, but I will say that it’s good to have a toolbox stocked with things that will serve you in the tough times. I can’t guarantee you’ll like all these snacks, but I can guarantee that the tough times are coming…and finding those tools is essential to stay on course.
Please share your favorite snacks in the comments below. I’m always on the lookout for more ways to keep my couch-snacking at bay!