Snacking on Fruits and Vegetables

Here's another great guest post from Angelique Marquez, R.D. of Simply Healthy Wellness. Enjoy!

In order to get 5 fruits and vegetables in a day, you will need to include one with every meal or snack. Try pairing your fruit and vegetable snacks with some protein and/or healthy fat, so they are more satisfying and stick with you longer.

Fruit Snack ideas:

Banana or apple with peanut butter (all natural, the ingredients should be: peanuts and maybe salt)

Apple or pear with cheese (laughing cow spreadable cheese works great)

Any sort of fruit with any sort of nut (almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, pistachios...)

Trail mix of dried fruit and nuts works great too (especially before or after a workout), but remember that a little goes a long way, a handful is a good serving size.

Snackable Veggies:

Carrots, Snow Peas, Sugar Snap peas, Bell Peppers, Celery, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cherry tomatoes, the list goes on and on....These veggies pair nicely with some hummus, spreadable cheese, or with a dressing or dip.


Carrot tangent: You might want to wash and chop your own carrots. Do you really want the Pre-cut perfect little baby ones that have been rinsed in chemical solution...aka...bleach? They say it is not enough chemical solution to be harmful, but do they eat as many fruits and vegetables as I do? I prefer to buy organic when possible and wash with good old fashioned water. I choose to spend my dollar on what is healthier for my body and the environment. Of course, you can decide what's best for you and your family.

Get to snackin!

A little snack between meals will keep you from feeling famished and then overeating at your next meal. Start with the fruits and vegetables you enjoy most, and then get a little adventurous. Use snack time as a way to meet your nutrition challenge!

Angelique holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) and cerified fitness trainer/instructor. She believes in a multi-facet approach to wellness. She is dedicated to improving the lives of many Las Vegas residents through wellness and disease prevention with proper nutrition.

For more from Angelique visit her online at www.simplyhealthywellness.com

If you like this post be sure to check out Four Nutrition Challenges for 2010