Snacks worth snacking on

I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m a snack girl. Not only am I snack girl, but I’m a sweet-tooth snack girl. I will always intentionally leave room in my stomach for dessert. It seems like I really can’t end my meal unless I have something sweet. But dessert seems to get a bad rep nowadays. Probably because the main desserts Americans are grabbing for are the processed cookies and cakes. Of course, there’s a time and place for the cookies and cakes, I mean come on they’re delicious. But for someone who feels the need to have something sweet after every meal, it’s important to find some sweets that provide a little more nutritional value. But remember, balance is key. This doesn’t mean you have to kiss your Oreos goodbye; it just means you don’t have to have them after every meal. There are tonsss of other snack options that are both delicious and provide some nutritional value without all the added sugars and seed oils. Try these yummy snacks the next time your sweet tooth is calling! STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BARS: INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • ¾ cup whole-wheat flour • 1/3 cup light brown sugar • ½ tsp ground cinnamon • ½ tsp ground ginger • ¼ tsp salt • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted • 1 tsp vanilla • 2 cups strawberries, diced small • 1 tsp cornstarch • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tbsp granulated sugar DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. 2. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, stir to combine. Melt butter in a small bowl, add vanilla. Stir butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined and clumpy. 3. In another small bowl, combine chopped strawberries, cornstarch, lemon juice, and sugar. 4. Press half of the oat and flour mixture into your baking pan in an even layer. Scatter strawberries over the top and spread them into an even layer. Top with remaining crumb topping. 5. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Cool bars completely. When cool, but bars into 16 even squares and serve. https://celebratevitamins.com/a/blog/category/recipes CHOCOLATE PEANUTBUTTER BANANA BITES: Ingredients: • 1 Ripe banana • Peanutbutter • Dark chocolate chips • oil of your choice (olive, coconut etc.) Directions: Simply cut the banana into 1-inch slices. Take two banana slices and spread a hearty amount of peanut butter in between them. Push them together like a sandwich. Freeze for 20 min. Then, melt the dark chocolate chips, in the microwave, and add oil until smooth texture. Dip the bananas in the chocolate and place on a baking tray lined with wax paper. Freeze until the chocolate hardens and enjoy! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/98657048080510032/ NO BAKE ENERGY BALLS: Ingredients: • 1 cup dry oatmeal • 2/3 cup coconut flakes • ½ cup peanut butter • ½ cup ground flaxseed • ½ cup chocolate chips • 1/3 cup honey • 1 Tbsp. chia seeds • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract Directions: Mix all ingredients together. Roll mixture into small balls and chill for 1 hour. Enjoy! -A.C. Sources: French, S. A., Jeffery, R. W., Story, M., Breitlow, K. K., Baxter, J. S., Hannan, P., & Snyder, M. P. (2001). Pricing and promotion effects on low-fat vending snack purchases: the CHIPS Study. American journal of public health, 91(1), 112–117. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.91.1.112