So Long Junk Food: Get Healthy Meal Prep Snacks

So Long Junk Food: Hello Healthy Meal Prep Snacks!

Confession time! I was getting dressed one day when I glanced in the mirror and noticed how big my stomach was getting. I thought to myself, “Girl, you look like you’re having twins growing in there”. It must have been all the junk food and unhealthy snacks and food I’ve been eating. Suddenly, I became aware of a lot of things. I couldn’t easily zip up my clothes like I once did. Come to think of it, I’ve been eating horribly since the holidays started around Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, and then New Year.

Yes! I definitely fell totally off the healthy eating and exercising daily wagon. Not to mention some emotional eating after losing my dad (stepdad) seven days before Christmas, 2022, and four days before my birthday. I could beat myself up and be hard on myself because I know better being a fitness instructor, but hey, sometimes the coach needs coaching. I simply made up my mind that I just need to get back to being committed to eating healthy and exercising daily. So, I’m participating in a 30-day challenge to do just that with some accountability. At the time of writing this blog entry, I’m at the halfway mark and have 15 more days to go with this challenge. I must say, I’m proud and happy about how much progress I’ve made. In my first week, I lost 5 pounds and maintained it the second week, except it’s more muscle. How did I do it? The key for me was meal prepping along with exercising. Although meal prepping was never difficult for me, it was the snacking between meals that I struggled with. Oh, and my husband is on board with me, as well, and he also lost weight.

So, not only did I do meal prepping during this challenge, I made healthy meal prep snacks and let go of all the junk food and sweets. I drank more water, or should I say, I got back to drinking more water consistently as I’d done before falling off the healthy wagon. If you love munching and crunching on potato chips, cookies, and sweets every day like me, then I want to share with you all the healthy and nutritious snacks I replaced with junk food, which also contributed to my losing five pounds in seven days. Once you start eating these healthy snacks, you won’t crave the bad food and will also say “So long junk food, and hello to get healthy meal prep snacks.

My Nine Favorite Healthy Snacks and their Benefits:

1. Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. They also contain dietary fiber, which can help with digestion and weight management.
2. Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein, vitamin D, and healthy fats. They are also low in calories and easy to prepare.
3. Steamed green beans are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. They are also low in calories and can help with weight management. I add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice with minced garlic and a dash of salt and pepper and put it in the fridge, so it’s ready for a snack.
4. Celery sticks are low in calories and high in water content, making them a great snack for hydration. They also contain vitamins A and K, and minerals such as potassium and folate.
5. Sliced cucumbers in lemon juice are a refreshing, low-calorie snack. Cucumbers contain hydration and antioxidants, and lemon juice can provide vitamin C and other benefits. I slice one cucumber and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over it with a dash of Dash Seasoning/salt and red pepper flakes.
6. Protein bars can be a convenient source of protein, but it’s important to read the ingredient list and check for added sugars. I like the organic Nut Butter Bar by Cliff. It has 7g of plant protein.
7. Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Eating an apple can help with weight management and digestion. Dip slices in peanut butter for extra protein.
8. Walnuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. They may also help with weight management, heart health, and brain function. Tip: I soak all my nuts for about 10-15 minutes in water to remove mold or longer when I have time.
9. Popcorn: I love munching on popcorn, especially when my husband and I eat for movie night after popping it in our own popcorn machine (almost just like the theatre machine, but smaller and healthier. Popcorn is low in calories and the whole grain and fiber content help with heart health. It’s also very versatile. The key to keeping it healthy is not pouring butter or oil over it. We keep it healthy with either coconut oil and/or olive oil.

Conclusion:

The next time you fall off your healthy eating and daily exercise regimen, don’t beat yourself up. Just pick up and start again. Yes, it sucks when you get off because it feels like you have to start all over again, but you will quickly get back to where you were and feel energized as long as you prepare healthy meal preps and healthy snack prep in advance so you won’t be tempted to reach for the bad junk food or fried or unhealthy foods. I do allow myself a cheat day once a week without going overboard. If I can do it, you can do it because I am the snack queen who loves goodies, but I chose to make my goodies healthy. Leave me a comment and let me know if you love munchies and what your favorite snack is, healthy or not. We’re in this together!!