By Sarah Glunz, MS, CNS, LDN
Whether you call it a snack meal, girl dinner, bite board, lazy girl plate, or munchie moment meal, this style of eating can be a game-changer on busy days when cooking isn’t in the cards, but you want something filling and balanced. Snack meals are perfect for any meal of the day, whether it’s a bigger snack or a light breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They require very little prep and can get you through a busy day energized and focused. The only rules: Include protein and fruits or vegetables, and put your meal on a plate, board, or in a bowl rather than eating directly from a package to prevent grazing and overeating. Here are three savory and three sweet snack meal ideas I love for those days when you need something quick.
Tuna Salad Seaweed Snacks
Those crunchy, salty seaweed snacks are the perfect vessels for tuna salad. Drizzle with sriracha and pair with raw veggies like sugar snap peas for an easy mid-day meal.
Get the recipe: Tuna Salad Seaweed Snacks
Smoked Salmon Snack Plate
Smoked fish is an easy protein on hectic days, and when paired with bagel chips can satisfy those salty, crunchy snack cravings. Dip veggies in a lemony sour cream for a balanced snack meal with all the flavor.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon Snack Plate
Chicken Salad and Hummus Snack Meal
It doesn’t get any easier than store-bought chicken salad, hummus, veggies, and crackers. Yummy, nutritious, and only minutes to throw together.
Get the recipe: Chicken Salad and Hummus Snack Meal
Tropical Cottage Cheese Bowl
You’ve heard about the protein punch cottage cheese provides and its versatility in sweet or savory dishes. This snack meal recipe pairs it with tropical flavors for the perfect little break on a busy day. Need more protein? Add more cottage cheese or pair with a pre-made protein drink.
Get the recipe: Tropical Cottage Cheese Bowl
Peanut Butter and Berry Yogurt Parfait
Turn your favorite sandwich from when you were a kid into a delicious protein-packed parfait that works for breakfast or lunch. Use your favorite fruit and almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter to change it up.
Get the recipe: Peanut Butter and Berry Yogurt Parfait
Peanut Butter Rice Cakes and Apples with Cinnamon Yogurt Dip
Greek yogurt and nut butter are the protein stars in this snack meal, and the apple provides much-needed fiber. Swap plain rice cakes for apple cinnamon ones for even more flavor!
Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Rice Cakes and Apples with Cinnamon Yogurt Dip
Sarah Glunz, MS, CNS, LDN, is a nutritionist with more than 15 years of experience — and a busy mom who knows how tough it can be to eat healthy. At Savory, she’s passionate about creating balanced meals and snacks that are both nutritious and easy.
