Healthy Snacks to Last All Week

Preparing your meals and snacks is a great way to stick with your diet program and also makes it easier to keep track of portion sizes and calories. When I'm traveling for a few days, or know I will be working long hours and won't have a chance to eat out or go to the grocery store, I keep up with my healthy diet by preparing some healthy snacks for the busy week ahead. Whether you're a busy mom or a working professional preparing for a time crunched schedule, enjoy some of these healthy snack ideas that will last all week:

1. Homemade Yogurt Parfaits
Layers of lowfat yogurt, fresh fruit, granola (or other favorite cereal) can make for a healthy and nutritious mid-afternoon snack. Use small Tupperware containers to create your layered treat at home and store in the freezer until the day you plan to pack your lunch or food for the day. If you're short on time, use a bagged frozen fruit mix. If you have some time, cut up a variety of fresh, in-season fruits and toss with a few drops of lemon juice before storing to keep your fruit fresh.
Prep Time: Approx. 10 mins.

2. Mini Pita Hummus Sandwiches
Stuff miniature pita bread loaves with a tablespoon of hummus, a few slices of cucumber and some shredded lettuce, then wrap tightly in foil and leave in the fridge. These miniature sandwiches are nutritious and healthy, and can give you that much-needed energy boost in the middle of a long day.
Prep Time: Approx. 10 mins.

3. Homemade Trail Mix
Premade trail mix is usually loaded with unhealthy fats and extra calories, so I make my own and measure out each serving. Make homemade trail mix by mixing together rice cereal, a few handfuls of mixed nuts, dried fruits, low-fat granola, dark chocolate or carob chips and low-salt pretzels, then put half-cup or one-cup servings into small bags for the road.
Prep Time: Approx. 5 mins.

4. No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars
When blood sugar levels are dipping and you need a quick pick-me-up, treat yourself to a homemade peanut butter energy bar. Heat up one cup of natural peanut butter with one up of honey on low heat until it turns into a paste, then mix in three cups of dry, old-fashioned oatmeal with a scoop of vanilla-flavored protein powder. Remove from the heat and press the mixture firmly into a 9x9 inch baking pan. Leave it in the fridge to set before cutting into bars. Wrap each bar in foil or drop it in a plastic bag, then just grab one on your way out the door.
Prep Time: Approx 15 min; Setting Time: Approx. 60 mins.

5. English Muffin PB&J
English muffins are less dense than a bagel and are also much lower in calories. Toast up some English muffins and slather on a layer of natural peanut butter and sugar-free jam or jelly. Wrap tightly with foil and store in the fridge until you head out.
Prep Time: Approx. 5 mins