Easy and Healthy Back to School Snacks and Breakfasts

Why not start off the school year feeling healthy and looking good? Here are some delicious, nutritious, easy recipes that will keep you energized and fit throughout the year.

Super Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (1-2 servings)

1 banana 

1 cup quick cooking oats or rolled oats

2-3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips 

1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)

3-4 tablespoons slivered almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using a fork, mash the banana until it is soft and mushy. Then add in the oats, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and almonds. Using your hands, mix everything together until completely combined. 

Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon 10-12 tablespoons of batter onto the baking sheet. **You may have to shape the cookies with your hands, depending on the consistency.

Bake in oven for 8-15 minutes. Eat cold, at room temperature, or straight out of the oven. 

Although this recipe may be high in calories, it is super high in protein. There are 16 grams of protein in this whole recipe! You are basically eating a whole meal in 12 cookies!

3 Ingredient Pancakes (1 serving)

1 banana

2 eggs

Pure maple syrup (optional)

Fruit (optional)

Place a pan on the stove and turn the temperature to medium-low heat. In a blender, combine the banana and eggs until frothy. Spray the pan with a nonstick baking spray. Once your pan has heated up for a few minutes, use a medium-sized ladle and spoon the batter onto the pan. Wait 1-2 minutes until the pancakes start to bubble. Carefully flip the pancakes and allow to cook for another 30 seconds to a minute. **If your pancake starts to break when flipping, it is not ready to be flipped.

Repeat the process with the remaining batter. When ready to eat, serve with maple syrup and fruit.

Chia Seed Pudding (1 serving)

1 banana 

3 tablespoons chia seeds

3/4 cup almond milk (or regular milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch cinnamon

fruit (optional)

slivered almonds (optional)

Mash the banana in a medium bowl. Then whisk in the chia seeds, milk, and vanilla. Cover the bowl and refrigerate over night. Before eating, whisk again for 1-2 minute to combine all the ingredients. Sprinkle with cinnamon and top with fruit and nuts. 

Benefits of Chia Seeds, Almond Milk, Bananas, and Cinnamon

Chia Seeds:

1. Loaded with antioxidants
2. Contain a high amount of protein
3. Contain large amounts of fiber, which soaks up water and expands in the stomach, increasing fullness and slowing the absorption of food 

Almond Milk:

1. One cup of Original Almond Milk contains only 60 calories, as opposed to 122 calories in a cup of 2% milk
2. There is no cholesterol or saturated fat in almond milk
3. Contains plenty of Vitamin B which is good for muscle growth and healing
4. Contains more calcium than regular milk

Bananas:

1. Lowers risk of cancer, asthma, and low blood pressure
2. High in fiber, which aids in digestion
3. Rich in potassium, keeping the heart healthy and functioning correctly
4. Boosts energy

Cinnamon:

1. Helps fight against fungal infections
2. Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease
3. 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can lower bad cholesterol
4. Just smelling cinnamon can boost one’s memory
5. Can stabilize blood sugar, which is good for weight loss

 

– Dalya Rubin