There are times when Meghan will go through a phase of barely eating anything at all. I wonder how she still has boundless energy when she’s eating like a bird. The last few weeks, it’s been the exact opposite of that. Her appetite is voracious and she eats and eats and eats.
I think we’ve got a growth spurt going on. She’s not even 4 1/2 yet (almost), but her size 4 clothes are all on the too-small side. We just measured her and it seems she’s already grown 2 inches since her 4 year old doctor visit!
So you can imagine how important it is for me to keep a variety of nourishing, healthy snacks on hand for my growing girl. I’m finding it much easier to make a big batch of snacks to carry us through the week instead of trying to make them sporadically throughout the week. (Although I do that sometimes, too, it just depends on what we have going on during the weekend.)
This Saturday I spent one afternoon nap time making some healthy snacks for the week. 1 1/2 hours and a huge kitchen disaster later and we are loaded for the week. Here’s what we will be snacking on this week:
Apple Peanut Butter Snack Bars
I love these and make them often because I can dump all the ingredients in one bowl, mix it up, and then bake. Super easy and everyone loves them.
High Protein Energy Bites (aka “peanut butter balls” by Meghan)
I can make this recipe with my eyes closed. I think this is Meghan’s favorite recipe on this site. Every time she eats one this is what I hear: “Mmmm mmmm mmmm!”
Healthy Pumpkin Molasses Quick Bread with Chocolate Chips
Oh how this bread makes me swoon. It’s wonderful as an afternoon snack with a cup of green tea, but equally as satisfying as dessert after dinner. Meghan calls it chocolate cake. 🙂 It’s made with 100% whole grains, reduced oil, and blackstrap molasses that makes it rich in iron and calcium.
I also had plans to make some homemade Larabars, but ran out of time. If we need more snacks by the end of the week, those are easy to whip up. Right now, the energy bites are in the freezer and I’ll pull those out after we finish up the bread and apple peanut butter bars. I think I’m set to keep my growing girl (and the rest of us!) satisfied.
Reader Feedback: What about you? What’s your go-to healthy homemade snack? Do you like to make snacks periodically throughout the week or in one big batch on the weekend?
The peanut butter balls are awesome! I don’t have a food processor and decided to try using my blender…didn’t work too good but they still taste incredible! I subbed walnuts for the almonds because that’s what I had. Also love your baked oatmeal–it’s the only recipe I could find for a long time that didn’t have a ton of sugar. Thanks!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hi, I just wanted you to know that I have thanked you on my blog for your recipe for broccoli and cheese bites and shared the recipe. I have linked your blog so that readers know to come here for similar great recipes!x
Hi Kara! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Oh. Em. Gee, Maryea. Meghan is so TALL!! I feel like the last picture you had of her she was HALF that height. Goodness! Growth spurt, indeed!
I do a similar thing every week with similar recipes; it’s such a lifesaver sometimes.
SO glad to have you popping up for a post when you can. 🙂
Isn’t she tall? It’s insane!! Every week I intend on posting more, but so far it hasn’t happened. I figure once is better than none. 🙂
Love this healthy recipe round up! I’ve been meaning to make those high protein energy balls; but I only have a mini food processor so I don’t know if all the ingredients would blend together well enough unfortunately! My go-to snacks are trail mix and all the muffins on my blog. I love making healthy muffins sweetened with super overripe bananas and almond meal. Yummmm I’m getting hungry just thinking about it 🙂
I think I’m going to have to hop on over to your blog and take a peek at your muffin recipes; Meghan just requested muffins today! 🙂
Wow! What a production! Those snacks look so delicious.
I usually snack on hard boiled eggs, greek yogurts, and bananas/other fruits.
I always forget about hard boiled eggs. That’s such a great snack idea!
Glad to see my kitchen isn’t the only that looks like an explosion went off! 🙂 In my mind, I always want to make a big batch of snacks, but it doesn’t always work out this way. Plus, my son is so finicky about snacks. He might love it one day but not the next. Our go to snacks are “fruit ropes” from Cliff Bar and fruit crushers, also fresh fruit and cheese sticks. Thank you for all the great recipe ideas.
Meghan can be that way, too. Just yesterday, actually, she said she didn’t feel like having the apple peanut butter bars anymore and wanted Larabars. Of course! Luckily the rest of the family loves them so there won’t be a problem getting them eaten up. 🙂
I wish I were so organized! I usually give Emily a banana, an apple sliced into sticks “Apple Fries”, freeze dried fruit (apples pears or peaches) from Costco, or cereal. She will eat an entire protein bar too, but I buy them – Nature Valley Protein type.
Also wanted to share that I am due with baby number two on Mother’s day- less than 9 weeks away! A boy this time! Our families are very similar and I enjoy your posts and inspirations in the kitchen – you have a special talent!
Oh wow–congratulations!! We do a lot of fresh fruit for snacks, too. It’s easy and healthy and my kids both love fruit so much. 🙂