When you are in a hurry, refer to these five tips to un-junk your junk food choices. These healthy alternatives will give you more energy, provide you with more nutritional value, and are also delicious! Plus, they are easy to package for and outing with your nieces and nephews.

A DIY Trail Mix
This is a fiber- and protein-rich snack that can be very satisfying. Combine any type of nuts (raw), dried (unsulfured) fruits, and dark chocolate chips into a bowl and mix together. Measure out quarter-cup portions and store the mix in zip-lock bags in the fridge. You can give even give some extra packages to your niece or nephew to bring to school.

Healthy Dips
Hummus, bean dip, babaghanoush, tzatziki, or dips made with Greek yogurt go nicely with sliced veggies and whole grain crackers. And they taste good too! It is also a good idea to always keep extra doses of your niece or nephew’s favorite dip handy. Kids love to dip!


Granola Yogurt
Grab a yogurt cup, add some granola and drizzle with honey. This is perfect for the busy Savvy Auntie. It provides you with carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, and the honey will help keep your blood sugar stable. Plus, your nieces and nephews will love the toppings.

Protein Bars
Nowadays, protein bars are made of all sorts of different ingredients, and are a better on-the-go option than granola bars since they help to balance blood sugar. Whey protein bars typically provide the most protein, but also look for the variety of vegan bars made from hemp protein, nuts and seeds, spirulina or other energizing and nourishing ingredients. If you are going to give some to your niece or nephew, you should warn them not to bring them to school if it is a nut-free environment.


Hard Boiled Eggs
Boil a dozen eggs before bed and refrigerate for a grab-and-go snack when you are in a hurry (or late for work). Couple with some high-fiber crackers or vegetables, and you are good to go. The eggs will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week. This power snack is perfect for you or your nieces and nephews.

You can pick up a copy of Unjunk Your Junk Food at your local book store, or online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. You can also check out their Facebook page for more information. 


Published: January 11, 2012