Fuel Up: The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Snacks to Keep You Going
Eating vegan or vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun snacks. In fact, with a little creativity, plant-based eating can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. When it comes to snacking, there are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians that will keep you fueled and energized throughout the day. From nut butter and banana to homemade trail mix, roasted chickpeas and hummus, chia seed pudding, energy balls with dates and nuts, apple slices with almond butter, and veggie sticks with hummus – we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favourite vegan and vegetarian snack recipes that are perfect for keeping you going all day long. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to fuel up before a marathon or other endurance exercise with plant-based foods. Ready to snack like a pro? Let’s dive in!
1. Nut Butter and Banana
Nut butter and banana make for a tasty and protein-packed snack that will provide you with the energy and nutrition you need to keep going. This snack is easy to prep and can be eaten on the go. If you want something savoury, hummus and carrots are excellent options. Hummus is rich in vitamins and minerals, while carrots pack in fibre, making this an all-around healthy snack.
Trail mix is another great option for a satisfying snack, especially when you’re on the go or need something to munch on between meals. You can create your custom blend of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit by mixing your favourite ingredients.
For those with a sweet tooth, dark chocolate is an antioxidant-rich treat that satisfies cravings while providing health benefits. Opt for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to ensure maximum nutritional value. These vegan and vegetarian snacks will fuel you up and keep you going throughout the day.
2. Homemade Trail Mix
Trail mix is an ideal snack option for people looking for vegan and vegetarian snacks, especially those who are always on the go. Making your trail mix is a fun and creative way to ensure that you have a healthy and nutritious snack. You can personalize it by adding your favourite ingredients, such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and dark chocolate chips. Experimenting with herbs and spices can add savoury flavours to your trail mix.
Prepare your homemade trail mix by choosing the best quality ingredients. Nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts, or peanuts work well in trail mix. Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds can also be added for an extra crunch. Dried fruit like raisins or cranberries provides natural sweetness while dark chocolate chips give a sweet, chocolaty flavour. Mix all the ingredients until they’re evenly distributed, store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and grab them on the go!
3. Roasted Chickpeas and Hummus
Roasted chickpeas and hummus make for an excellent snack that is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Chickpeas provide protein, fibre, and iron while the hummus is rich in healthy fats. Combining these two ingredients provides a fulfilling snack that can easily be enjoyed on the go. Both roasted chickpeas and hummus can be found at most grocery stores and are relatively inexpensive. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or a satisfying snack, roasted chickpeas and hummus is excellent options to fuel your day.
4. Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is a vegan snack that is packed with nutrients. It is a perfect blend of healthy fats and protein, which keeps you feeling full for longer. Chia seed pudding is easy to make and quite customizable; you can add your favourite fruits, nuts, or spices to create the perfect flavour. This snack is ideal for anyone searching for a satisfying vegan or vegetarian snack that packs a nutritional punch.
5. Energy Balls with Dates and Nuts
Energy balls with dates and nuts are a great vegan and vegetarian snack option that provides a quick boost of energy. These snacks can be prepared in advance and stored for easy access throughout the day. Energy balls contain natural sugars from dates that provide quick energy, while nuts provide healthy fats and protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Additionally, they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre that help maintain good health. You can create your own healthy vegan and vegetarian snacks by combining different types of fruits, nuts, seeds, or grains. Be sure to store these snacks properly in airtight containers to maintain their freshness. With so many delicious and nutritious options available, it’s easy to fuel up on vegan and vegetarian snacks!
6. Apple Slices with Almond Butter
Looking for vegan or vegetarian snacks that will keep you fuelled up? Try apple slices with almond butter! Apples provide a natural sweetness, while almond butter adds a good dose of protein and healthy fats. Other great options include energy balls, trail mix, hummus and veggies, popcorn, nuts and seeds. Energy balls are quick and easy to make and the perfect snack to fuel you up. Trail mix is a great combination of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit that’s packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. Hummus and veggies are delicious and healthy snacks that are packed with plant-based proteins. Popcorn is an excellent source of fibre and makes an excellent snack choice for vegans and vegetarians alike. Finally, nuts and seeds are a great source of energy-boosting proteins and healthy fats that make a tasty addition to any vegan or vegetarian diet.
7. Veggie Sticks with Hummus
If you are looking for vegan or vegetarian snack options, there are many healthy and tasty alternatives available. Veggie sticks with hummus are a popular and nutritious option for those who want to stay full between meals. The dip provides protein, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, while the veggie sticks provide various nutrients that can help maintain good health. Other great vegan and vegetarian snack options include low-fat Greek yoghurt with berries, roasted chickpeas, energy balls made with nuts and dried fruit, apple slices with nut butter, trail mix with nuts and seeds or popcorn seasoned with nutritional yeast and spices. These snacks are perfect for fueling up before a workout or keeping you going during a busy day.
High-Protein Vegan Snacks for Active Lifestyles
Vegan and vegetarian snacks can provide the necessary energy for active lifestyles. High-protein vegan snacks are an excellent source of energy, and nuts and seeds like almonds, pistachios, and pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats that are essential to the body. Legumes such as hummus, lentils, and chickpeas provide plant-based protein to give a boost to your activity levels. Nut or seed butter like peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower seed butter are easy to pack and make great on-the-go snacks. Plant-based protein bars made with whole food ingredients can also help sustain energy levels. These high-protein vegan snacks are perfect for filling up during a long run or getting through a workout in the gym without feeling overly full or bloated afterwards.
Fuelling for an Ultra-Marathon: What to Eat Before, During, and After the Race
When it comes to fueling up for a marathon or Ultra, choosing the right snacks can make all the difference. Before the race, opt for snacks that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat, fibre, and sugar. Foods like bananas, oatmeal, and bagels are great options to help increase energy levels.
During the race, focus on easily digestible snacks that provide long-lasting energy. Snacks such as energy gels or bars, sports drinks, or fruit can help you sustain your energy levels throughout the race.
After the race, aim for snacks that are high in protein and other nutrients to aid in recovery. Options like hummus with veggies or a protein smoothie will help replenish your body’s energy stores.
Overall, vegan and vegetarian-friendly snack options can provide optimal nutrition for marathon runners. Some great options include nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables with dips. It is crucial to fuel properly before running a marathon as running long distances without adequate nutrition can be harmful to one’s health.
With these delicious post-workout smoothie recipes at hand, you can fuel up with all the right nutrients to keep you going throughout the day.