I have changed my eating habits in the last year, and I’ve found it has really helped me. I have lost weight, and I look very different overall (or so EVERYONE says!), from my eyes being brighter to my skin being healthier. Of course, there have been some other changes too, but what you eat makes a huge difference in the rest of your life.

Now, these are my snack staples.

YOGURT: I cut out dairy, since it seemed to be affecting my inflammation and sinuses. I was a major Chobani addict, so finding a yogurt that could replace it was trying at first. I love the texture of this coconut milk yogurt. The creaminess is actually more satisfying than the flavor, since the flavors of these are just okay. Still my favorite yogurt overall, now.

COFFEE: I also had to lose my Half and Half for my coffee, and have found the hazelnut flavor of the coconut milk creamer to be a great fix. On days I want it a little sweeter, I put a pack of Truvia in my coffee along with the creamer, but most of the time a splash of this is just perfect.

HUMMUS: The Mediterranean Hummus is the best! I found this at Trader Joe’s the other day– or rather, the boy in Trader Joe’s who was helping me find my pita chips would NOT let me leave until he got me a container of this creamy, dreamy hummus from the back room. I dip celery in it when I get hungry at work. Love it!

VEGGIES: I’m not a good cook, so having avocados of various ripeness in the house help me to eat my veggies without having to do much work. Sliced avocado in a salad, or on wheat toast, just makes everything better. It’s a guilt free addition to anything. PS- if you’re worrying about the fat content of an avocado, you should think twice. It’s a vegetable! And one of the best for you.

GRANOLA BARS: like the Pro Bar in the picture, are helpful on days when I need all my food to be portable, easy, and filling. Pro Bars are perfect because they are high calorie, healthy, and can substitute a lunch if I don’t have time to eat a whole meal. I recently discovered them at Whole Foods. I also love the Thunderbird Energetica bars that we have sold on every corner here in Austin.

LENTIL CHIPS: I have a bag of salt and pepper lentil chips from Trader Joe’s in my house at all times. They are salty enough that I only need to eat about ten, and they are filling. Make sure they are made with mostly lentils, or brown rice flour, or whole wheat flour.

FRUIT: I am a fruit addict. I eat apples, bananas, grapes, nectarines, on and on. I love it. My friend taught me a great trick for apples that I’ve been using a lot lately, since I prefer my apples cut up rather than biting into them.  First, cut a Fiji apple up the night before and put it in a container. I know what you’re thinking- but Rose, won’t it turn brown? Isn’t it gross to eat brown apples the next day? Well, yes. But then you cut a Meyer lemon in half and squeeze it all over the apple slices. Meyer lemons are sweeter than regular lemons, and their acidity works the same way as regular lemons to prevent browning. If the lemon is still too sour for you, just throw some unsweetened coconut shavings in!

I also eat three meals a day, made a specific way by my chef, which we can talk about in another post. If you’re an on the go business person like me, I would love to hear what you eat in the car between meetings! I know it can be hard sometimes, which is why staying organized and planning ahead are so important. I know my mom readers out there know this better than anyone.

So, tell me your favorites!

Happy snacking,

Rose