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10 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2019 WRITTEN BY DEBRA CAFFREY practical pantry Healthy Snack Ideas for Busy Moms As frugal a grocery shopper as I like to be, I admit I still suffer from "my kid doesn't have enough snacks!" anxiety despite knowing he has plenty. I'm sure I'm not the only one who can go over- board with making sure family members are extremely well-stocked in the snack department. And as for making sure we have enough snacks for road trips and days out at the waterpark or amusement park, my backpack looks like I'm preparing for a natural disaster, though we barely wind up needing half. Seriously, what's up with that? I think it's just our nature as parents to nurture and make sure our loved ones are well-fed and taken care of. But here's the tricky part: during all of this attention to detail, do we sometimes forget about our own snacking and food needs? I love my meals, but when it comes to snacking, I used to never have anything for myself. And, at least in my house, when mama's hungry, mama's not happy. I've learned over time that worrying about my in-between meal snacking is essential, and I plan for this while making my grocery list and shopping. Then, I'm cared for as much as my family members. Since health is a top priority, I stock up on nutritious options so I'm not standing in front of the pantry eating Cool Ranch Doritos out of the bag to hold me over until dinner. If this sometimes-inevitable mom struggle sounds familiar, here are my go-to nutritious and effortless snacks. They'll fill you up while you're on the go and accommodate your self care and health goals! PISTACHIOS Pistachios are my absolute favorite nut to eat, and I could seriously eat a pound at a time if I didn't control myself! All nuts provide loads of healthy benefits, including tons of fiber, health-friendly fatty acids which keep your cholesterol levels in check and essential minerals. Nutrition and medical experts recommend having a handful of nuts daily. I love the way nuts fill me up, mostly due to their great combination of fiber and protein. They satiate hunger and hold me over until mealtime. While all nuts are good for you, what I love most about pistachios is they are lower in calories than other types of nuts, yet high in protein. They are also a rich source of potassium and vitamin B6. And simply, they are absolutely delicious and mild enough to snack on with ease! HARDBOILED EGGS Eggs are a great source of protein and are low in calories. Hard boiled is a fabulous option since you can cook a ton in advance, and they last a long time in the fridge for easy snacking. I boil a bunch of eggs for the week ahead, and then my husband and I gobble them as-is, in salads, or for a quick breakfast before work or the gym. They are an easy addition to the "protein pack" Bento lunch I often prepare for my husband with almonds, grapes, carrot sticks, cheese and granola. Despite what was reported years ago, eggs are actually good for your cholesterol. They provide good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to your diet. "As busy moms, it's more important than ever to take the time to plan for our own meals and snacks so we are fueled properly..." PISTACHIOS Pistachios are my absolute favorite nut to eat, and I could seriously eat a pound at a time if I didn't control myself! All nuts provide loads of healthy benefits,