Snack smart: Apple 'lifesavers'

Contributed by Nadia Borchardt, RD


Snack smart: Apple 'lifesavers'

Grocery stores are filled with grab-and-go snacks such as cereal bars, crackers and chips, which often come with added fat, sugar, sodium and preservatives. When hunger strikes, why not opt for something natural instead?

This recipe is a twist to one of my favorite snacks: apples and peanut butter. It's highly customizable, so feel free to use your preferred type of apple, nut butter and toppings. It provides protein and fiber, making it a great snack for your child's lunchbox and it only takes five minutes to make.

Servings: 2

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium apple
  • 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (or another nut butter of your choice)
  • 1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseeds

Directions

  1. Remove the apple core with an apple-coring tool.
  2. Slice the apple crosswise into 8 thin rings, about 1/4-inch thick.
  3. Spread each apple ring with the nut butter, then sprinkle evenly with the coconut and chia or flax seeds.

Nutrition information (per serving)

  • Calories: 224
  • Total fat: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 97 mg
  • Total carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Dietary fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 8 g