I absolutely love fall. It is one of the most spectacular times of the year. I love the weather, for I can sip on a warm cup of coffee early in the morning snuggled up in a blanket and can enjoy a long evening run because it is still light at 6pm. I love the colors of the leaves, how they gradually change from green to bright hues of red, yellow, and orange. I love that it is the season for college football. I love that there are no mosquitos. I love the sunsets. They are magical this time of year.
I love the food that comes in season during the fall. Honey crisp apples are my absolute favorites. I love every way you can eat beets, pickled, combined with feta cheese on a salad, or roasted in the oven to form a beet chip. I love Brussels sprouts, cabbage, sweet potatoes, pears, and of course the beloved pumpkin (since pumpkin is in EVERYTHING during the fall).
In celebrating of fall, I am rounding up my favorite snacks for the season. As I always say (and may sound like a broken record, but I believe in the power of repetition!), eating every 3 - 4 hours during the day helps boost your metabolism, supply you with consistently good energy, and fuels your brain. A healthful snack can help you do just that plus it will help you eat the appropriate amount of food at your next meal (so you can avoid the weight gain that easy creep up by drinking one too many pumpkin lattes).
So here is my top 5 snacks for the fall season:
1. A honey crisp apple with 1 tablespoon of almond butter
Honey crisp apples are amazing this time of year! Topped with almond butter for a little protein, you can enjoy a sweet snack that will fuel your metabolism.
I love this brand because it is packed with protein and contains little sugar.
3. Enlightened Good-For-You Crisps
Packed with protein and fiber for only 100 calories, these broad bean crips are a great alternative to a handful of nuts as a salty snack (in case you are a little tired of almonds as a snack, which happens to be the reason I stumbled upon these babies).
4. Roasted pumpkin seeds
Packed with magnesium and zinc to help you fight off the common cold this season, these are great to make ahead and pack in snack size Zip loc bags for a quick, on-the-go snack.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Toss seeds in a bowl with melted butter and salt. Layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
A favorite in the Streib household! Drink it for a post workout snack to help rebuild and repair your muscles.