Monday's Munchies: Snack Attack!

I am a snacker. I'm telling you - I love to snack. Going hours and hours between meals just doesn't work for me. I've decided if I were a dinosaur, I'd be a Snackosaurus Rex. 

But I'm also a registered dietitian - so I like to try to make my snacks not just delicious, but also nutritious. (Though don't get me wrong - there is definitely a big focus on the delicious part too!) I need my snacks to satisfy me, fill me up until the next meal and give me energy to get through my workouts. So for today's "Monday's Munchies," I thought I'd fill you in on my most recent snack crazes.. and since it's also Peanut Butter Month, you may notice that they all feature my love PEANUT BUTTER!


1)  PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY Mixed Nut Blend

Without sounding totally dirty, let me just tell you that I LOVE NUTS. Love them. They're so yummy - and so nutritious. I just wish the appropriate portion size was THE ENTIRE CONTAINER, and not just 1/4 cup. (One-fourth of a cup..?! WHAT does that even mean??)

When I discovered this yummy nut blend at Target a couple weeks ago, it was like I had struck gold. This is a blend of peanuts (some raw and some honey-roasted) and almonds - again some raw.. and some FRUIT GLAZED with a raspberry jam flavored glaze. Mmm, PB&J - SO DELICIOUS!

Serving size is 1/4 cup -- and I do recommend that you use a measuring cup to portion it out ahead of time, or you might eat half the container in one sitting (like I did...oops.) Each serving has around 150 calories, 10 grams of satiating heart-healthy fats and 5 grams of filling protein.

2) PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY Greek Yogurt

Let me introduce you to a magical food called "PB2" -- a powdered peanut butter made by the Bell Plantation. This product is made with real peanuts, which are slow-roasted and pressed to remove the oil.. leaving it with all the peanutty taste but 85% less fat than PB! You can reconstitute it with water back to a PB-consistency, or do as I do -- and stir it into anything and everything! Ice cream, oatmeal, cookie dough... or my new favorite: Greek Yogurt!

The day I decided to stir a tablespoon of PB2 into my fat-free strawberry Greek yogurt was a day that changed my life. It was like a creamy-dreamy bowl of PB&J goodness. Indulgently tasty -- but super nutritious. Greek yogurt is a great source of filling protein and bone-building calcium, while the PB2 adds a few extra grams of protein and only about 25 calories per tablespoon! Depending on the brand of yogurt you use, this snack will run you around 105 to 165 calories a serving.

It's hard to find PB2 in stores, but you can order it online from the Bell Plantation website or Amazon. (Or if you have a Hy-Vee near you, they should sell it in the HealthMarket section!) And I do recommend you go order it. NOW!

3) Lightened-Up Chocolate PB "Ice Cream" Sandwiches 

While I'm not going to argue that this snack is necessarily super-nutritious, when your sweet tooth just won't quit, this is a sweet treat that won't break the calorie bank. I saw the recipe on Pinterest (obviously) and find it quite tasty! I just made batch #2 last night.

Ingredients: chocolate graham crackers, peanut butter and lite whipped topping.. that's it!

All you do:  Spread 1 teaspoon of PB on one graham square, and about 2 tablespoons of thawed whipped topping on another square. Smoosh together (gently!!) sandwich-style, wrap in plastic wrap, and pop in the freezer. The whipped topping will firm back up and make a perfect little substitute for ice cream sandwiches -- all for just about 120 calories!

So tell me, folks -- what are your current snack crazes? And in what other forms can I get my PB fix these days?? Leave love & feedback below!

Have a happy day!!
xo, 
-L-