Imagine this: your schedule is full due to your career and family. Furthermore, you have an active lifestyle that gets your heart pumping and your muscles burning. How do you keep up the energy to thrive? Thankfully, we cover the best healthy snacks for an active lifestyle so that you don’t crash along the way.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is one of the most healthy snacks you can have daily. Its nutritional benefits include protein, probiotics, prebiotics, calcium, and other helpful ingredients. It’s also excellent for supporting bone health, heart health, gut health, and immunity. Try pairing it with nuts, granola, or fruit for a tasty treat.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are also healthy snacks for an active lifestyle. Pumpkin, flax, and hemp seeds provide high amounts of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for optimal joint, tissue, and brain support. Cashews, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are nutrient-dense snacks that quickly satisfy your hunger. At the same time, they contain calcium, protein, dietary fiber, and antioxidants that support cellular function.
Protein Shakes
If you have a high-protein diet or need that extra protein boost throughout the day, go with protein shakes. Drinking them is a healthy, satisfying way to get the nutrients you need to support muscle development and tissue preservation. The benefits of whey protein include its ability to aid in muscle recovery and supply all nine essential amino acids. Eating it increases energy levels and strengthens the immune system. Additionally, you can find vegan and vegetarian protein powders, such as pea and soy, for a fulfilling, sweet protein-packed snack.
Fruits and Cheese
Fruits and cheese give you a well-balanced combination of carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and fats to help you get through the day. Healthy cheeses, such as cottage cheese, swiss, ricotta, mozzarella, feta, and goat cheeses, can give you all sorts of nutrients. These include protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. These cheeses can also help prevent osteoporosis. Meanwhile, fruits like apples, grapes, berries, and apricots provide essential micronutrients to help support your bodily functions and prevent diseases.
Crackers and Nut Butter
The cracker-and-peanut-butter combination is one tried-and-true snack that people of all ages love. Finding whole-grain, reduced-fat, or stone-ground crackers can provide you with fiber, which can help reduce type 2 diabetes and help regulate your digestive system. Pairing it with nut butter gives you heart-healthy monounsaturated fats to help decrease HDL cholesterol while giving you a slightly sweet taste to balance the salty crunch.
When you’re on the go or live a lifestyle requiring quick preparation, grabbing a healthy snack can support your body through your intense schedule. But remember to take breaks and make time to take care of yourself. Your body will thank you.
Dianne Pajo is a Certified Personal Trainer based out of the Chicagoland area with a passion for music, combat sports, and animals. She enjoys competing in amateur boxing and kickboxing, but in her other leisure time, you can find her outdoors and performing music around the city. She is also a dog mom of 2.