My brother called me and wanted to know some healthy snack ideas ideal for people on-the-go and for the not-so-skilled in the kitchen. So here ya have it- power snacks appropriate for all ages and all lifestyles. A healthy snack always includes protein. This will keep you feeling full longer and help to stabilize blood sugar.

1. Nut and Seed Balls- With the right ingredients, these can be nutrient power-houses. Set aside your sugar-laden powerbars and savor these nut and seed balls. You can make a lot of these in advance and keep them in freezer. Pack a few in tupperware or tinfoil for a healthy snack away from home.

2. Smoothies- If you are falling behind on my recommended 8-9 servings of veggies/day. Smoothies are a great way to get in some greens. Trust me, you won’t taste the added spinach or kale if you have plenty of antioxidant-rich berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in the there. Be sure to always include a protein source like peanut-butter or almond butter or protein powder. Here is mysmoothie recipe.

3. Ants on a log- This is a childhood favorite. It includes celery topped with a nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter or my favorite, sunflower seed butter) and raisins. A sweet and savory healthy treat! Bonus- an easy way to get a veggie in! Make a bunch of them in advance and store in a tupper-ware in the fridge. Will keep for 3-4 days.

4. Kale Chips- I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like these! You may have ambitions to eat kale but don’t know how to cook it to taste good. This is a great way to introduce kale into your diet. Trust me on this- they are delicious and SO easy! Clickhere for my kale chip recipe.

5. Trail-mix- Make your own with raw nuts and seeds and dried berries. Try including walnuts in your mix for an essential fatty acid boost.

6. Baked Goods with Veggies in them: Everyone likes a good muffin…but if you are watching your waist-line or adhering to a lower-carb paleo diet, you can still enjoy these using protein-packed almond flour. Almond flour is one of my favorite flours to bake with because it is full of satisfying protein and heart-healthy fat. You can find it at a health food store. Consider doubling the recipe and store extras in the freezer. Here are some yummy recipes.

7. Hummus- You can’t go wrong with hummus. It is made with protein-packed tahini and chickpeas. Dip carrots, snap-peas, celery or rice crackers for a delicious and nutritious snack.

8. Hard-boiled Eggs- Full of essential amino acids, this snack is a protein power-house. Boil eggs for 9-10 minutes. Consider boiling 1/2 a dozen at a time to have plenty for the week. Always opt for organic eggs. Here is why.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.