Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively: 6 Tips For Better Snacking

This post is in partnership with Simple Mills.

If you have kids (aka eating machines), or are just the average busy person in today's world, you can probably relate to my ongoing snacking dilemmas. What snacks can I keep on hand that don't require a lot of prep work? What snacks can I buy that we'll all like? What snacks can we also easily take on the go? And most of all, how can we snack in ways that are better for us? I've really made an effort over the last month or so to find solutions for my snacking woes, and today I thought I'd share some of the things that are working for us.

1. Plan.

I am not a meal planner. It is not my thing. But I have become a snack planner. I don't mean creating a color coded daily snack chart, but I do mean planning for easy grab-and-go snacks that you know will get eaten, making a list of them, and stocking up for a couple of weeks. We try to opt for fruits, veggies, yogurt, and wholesome crunchy snacks like Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers and Crunchy Cookies that I can pick up at Meijer. (Speaking of Meijer, make sure to take advantage of this amazing deal they're offering.)

2. Go for crunch.

Everyone in our house agrees that a crunchy snack is more satisfying. Our current favorites for the perfect crunch are fresh carrot sticks and Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers and Crunchy Cookies, which are made from whole food ingredients, with nothing artificial. I always pick up a package or three when I'm getting groceries at Meijer, which makes the kids (and us!) very happy. The Almond Flour Crackers are super delicious snack crackers made with a wholesome blend of almond flour, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. They're a great source of vitamin E and contain 3 grams of protein per serving. Perfect right out of the box. Simple Mills Crunchy Cookies also provide a yummy crunch and are perfect for when we have a sweet tooth. Crafted from plant-powered, nutrient-dense ingredients, they're just the right amount of sweet, thanks to natural coconut sugar.

3. Read the labels.

I've always been a label reader (thanks mom!), but I still need to be reminded sometimes. Always check out the ingredients, and opt for snacks that are made with whole foods and free from anything artificial.

4. Choose convenient.

I admittedly get big ideas in my head of Pinterest-worthy snacks that will ultimately take a whole lot of ingredients and time I don't have. When I attempt this, I end up with uneaten food. I've found that opting for convenient snacks is more realistic and much easier on all of us, and better for when we're on-the-go. Berries that can be eaten right from the container, string cheese or cheese sticks, and Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers and Crunchy Cookies, which are nutrient-dense and made with whole foods, are our go-tos.

5. Be mindful.

We're all guilty (at least in this house), of mindlessly munching on snacks while we're watching movies or looking at our devices, which can lead to overindulgence. I've found that when we're more aware of why we're actually snacking, it leads to better snacking habits. We talk to the kids (and remind ourselves) about listening to our body's hunger cues, and when we really are hungry for a snack, to choose better-for-you options. And if we are watching a show or looking at our phones, we portion onto a bowl or plate.

6. Listen to your body.

A nutritionist friend gave me that advice and you guys, they are words to live by. For real. If you're hungry for a snack, eat one, but pay attention to when you feel full. If you're bored and just feel like eating, try drinking a glass of water, or just nibble on a few crackers (Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers to the rescue again!). If you crave something unhealthy, try eating a better-for-you version and see if that satisfies. This is a great life lesson to teach your kids as well!

I hope these tips prove helpful for those of you looking to improve your snacking habits. They've been very helpful for us! And if you haven't tried Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers and Crunchy Cookies yet, I highly recommend grabbing some at your local Meijer. They are our absolute favorite snacks right now. Make sure to take advantage of this incredible deal too.