In the Lifeway Kitchen, snack time is one of our favorite times. We firmly believe that eating healthy snacks between meals, or when we’re hungry, helps us stay on track with a healthy diet and avoid binge eating (or digging into the cookie jar) later. In other words, snacks can be crucial to sticking to an eating plan, balancing your blood sugar and avoiding hanger in general.
But what makes a good snack? The answer is different for everyone, but we’re have a few standards we stick to whenever we can: let there be protein, let there be healthy fat, and let there be fiber. Not too hard, right?
When we’re in an absolute rush, or aren’t in the mood to break out the cutting board, we reach for any of our many Lifeway Kefir products. Some of our favorites are:
Lifeway Protein Kefir
With 20 grams of protein per serving and a convenient 16 oz bottle, Protein Kefir is a great grab-and-go option for snacks after lunch and before dinner. It’s also a great option post-workout to keep us from raiding the fridge when we get home.
ProBugs Pouches
For children and the children in all of us, ProBugs Pouches are made with USDA-certified organic whole milk and contain 10 live and active probiotic cultures that will keep you full and functioning. Plus, the twist on and off cap is perfect for purses, pouches, pocket and backpacks!
ProBugs Bites
Freeze dried probiotic ProBugs Bites are the latest delicious addition to the ProBugs family and we couldn’t be more exited! Available in three of our most beloved ProBugs flavors, melts are the perfect on-the-go snack, for both parents and children!
Because they’re freeze dried, they don’t require refrigeration, they won’t spill and they won’t spoil if you forget them in your bag for a few days. And at 25 calories per 1/4 cup serving (roughly a handful), they’re a calorie-conscious treat that can’t be beat! Find them at your local co-op, natural foods store, or request them today!
Frozen Kefir Bars
When an ice cream craving strikes, we immediately turn to our Frozen Kefir Bars. Individually packaged and free from artificial ingredients, chowing down on these tart and tangy bars is the easiest way to satisfy our sweet tooth, without overdoing it and ending up in a sugar coma. Plus, at 60-calories per bar, there’s definitely room for seconds.
Grab-and-go snacks are great most of time, but if you’re craving something with a bit more bit and chew, try one of the following four snack recipes, all made with, or eaten with, Lifeway Kefir:
Seamus Mullen’s Power Granola
Granola can become a danger food quickly, so you definitely want to monitor your serving size on this one. Nevertheless, it’s packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats, not to mention some of our favorite spices. Sprinkle some over your favorite chopped fruit, soak it in our plain kefir, or eat it by the (small) handful for a hearty and filling snack.
Probiotic Chicken Salad Apple Bites
Another recipe redo, we swapped the mayo for kefir to keep the creamy, tangy taste and slash the calories. The addition of cashews provide a healthy fat and satisfying crunch, while the crisp apples provide ample fiber. This salad is also great on top of lettuce for a larger meal.
Beet Dip with Kefir
Bright, colorful and in season, beets have a nice ratio of fiber to protein, not to mention unique vitamins and minerals that aid your body’s natural detoxification processes. Eat this dip as you would hummus with chopped vegetables or warm pita bread.
Cucumber Farmer Cheese Bites
These savory bites are a healthier take on your typical dill and cream cheese tea sandwiches. We substituted our creamy Farmer Cheese for the cream cheese for a lighter, healthier spread, and use sliced veggies for added fiber and volume. This spread is also great on sandwiches or toast, or as a topping for your favorite salad.
To us, no meal or snack is complete without kefir, but what about you? What are your go to healthy snacks for busy days? Have you tried our Protein Kefir yet? Let us know by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Find more recipe inspiration from our Pinterest boards, too!