3 Healthy Snack Alternatives

Did you start the New Year with plans to be more healthy? This is a common resolution that often falls apart after the first week or month. We are now in mid-February and the New Year’s Resolutions have come and gone, and the bad habits have settled in again. Personally, I find it especially difficult to stick to the resolutions if I can’t get my family on board for eating healthily too. Picky eaters and choosy children can quickly derail any attempt to stick with the plan and better your self for 2021.

In light of the current environment i.e. dare I say it, the new “C” – COVID, health is definitely a top priority. We have a few ways to integrate more healthy food that is easy, tasty, and the picky eaters may not even notice the extra dose of vegetables or healthy ingredients. Typically people want to do one, or maybe all, of the following – eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, or eat less meat. Here are some great companies that will help you meet these goals and get back on track for your 2021 goals.

Eat More Vegetables
Evive Nutrition – These tasty smoothies and lunch items are a great way to get extra nutrition in your daily routine. We tried the smoothies for breakfast, which even the pickiest of eaters enjoyed. They are flavourful, sweet, and packed with veggies. The AZTEQUE smoothie is one of our favourites filled with Banana, Strawberry, Pear, Cocoa, Date, Rehydrated plant-based proteins (filtered water, pea protein, chia protein, natural vanilla flavour, stevia leaf extract, sea salt), Goji berry, Baobab, Lemon juice, Moringa*, Chlorella, Dehydrated vegetable blend (spinach, boccoli, carrot, tomato, beet, shiitake). It’s a great way to start the day or have a mid-afternoon/after-school snack. The meals are also a great, easy, healthy alternative. The Mac Squash is actually reminiscent of the original Mac and Cheese, but way tastier and without any dairy thanks to the magical addition of nutritional yeast and other essential plant-based ingredients like butternut squash and cashews. Personally, I like to pair it with cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

If you want to stay on track, having Evive in your freezer is a great way to prepare a healthy meal or snack in no time!

Eat Less Sugar
LIVA Raw Date Sugar – If you are trying to stop eating refined sugar, it can be tricky given that it’s in almost everything. LIVA is a great way to still enjoy baking or sugar in your coffee. The granule of sweetness is made from organic, whole, ground dehydrated dates. LIVA can be used in many recipes as a direct replacement for sugar. Check out their website for some great recipe ideas. I personally really like the Chia Pudding, but the Chocolate Shortbread looks delicious too.

Eat Less Meat
We all need protein, but there is definitely a big push towards plant-based protein. Not only does it meet your nutritional requirements, but it’s better for the environment and kinder to animals. Gardein, a meat substitute brand is encouraging Canadians to take its cheating challenge and substitute Gardein’s delicious plant-based products for meat in their favourite recipes at least one day a week. They offer a wide variety of products including Chick’n Tenders, Beefless Ground, Breakfast Saus’age Patties and unique items like Crabless Cakes. There are definitely some good options to incorporate these products into your weekly meal cycle.