7 Healthy Snacks to Power You Through Your Day
As a professional cheerleader, you have high expectations of yourself. Serving as a brand ambassador for your team and showing up at community events, you need energy. Energy to maintain your stamina, master your routines, and boost your mood. Tara Gidus, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, quotes: “Snacking keeps your metabolism revved up and is a great way to boost your energy.”
Snacking on nutrient-dense foods is the smartest move to get yourself moving and sustain you throughout the day. The question is, what kinds of snacks are right for you? Read this article to find out.
Apples and Bananas
These two fruits, apples and bananas, are among the most convenient snacks you can grab and go. If you’re in a hurry and need something quick to fill your empty stomach, you can’t go wrong with an apple or banana. Aside from being good energy boosters, they’re an excellent choice if you’re on a weight loss plan. Apples and bananas are also loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants to protect your cells from damage. If you have more time, you can slice and add these versatile fruits into your smoothies and non-fat yogurt.
Greek Yogurt
Did you just have a tough evening practice? If you crave for some dessert but are extra careful about your health, you can’t go wrong with yogurt. A cup of Greek yogurt has high protein content as well as carbohydrates. The amino acids found in yogurt will aid in the faster repair of your muscles. On the other hand, the carbs you get will replace the energy stores in your muscles. New York City nutritionist Keri Gans says that the best time to grab a bowl or container of Greek yogurt is within 1 hour of your workout.
Kale Chips
Spend just about 10 minutes to bake kale chips. You don’t have to feel bad about getting rid of those high-sodium potato chips at the grocery if you can replace them with something that is way healthier. Kale chips surprisingly contain loads of vitamins A, C, and K. These vitamins support your immune function and are also heart-healthy! It’s simple to make kale chips: All you need to do is remove the stems from the leaves, toss a small amount of olive oil and salt (to taste) on them, and then bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vanilla Chia Pudding
Way back when I was a pro cheerleader, one of my cheer sisters introduced me to vanilla chia pudding. At first, I found the thought weird, but have been enjoying it as a great snack. I love it not only because it fills me up but also because it keeps my extra weight off without even trying. Chia seeds, the main ingredient in this snack dessert, supply you with omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds would make your plant-based source for these good types of fat. Mix together unsweetened almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Vanilla chia pudding lasts 5 days as long as it’s refrigerated.
Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans. It’s an amazing plant-based superfood that will surely power up your game days. What you’ll love about chickpeas as an energy-boosting snack is that it’s slow to digest so it won’t raise your blood sugar levels fast. Perhaps you’re aware of the fact that some snacks create spikes and dips in your glucose. This is the reason why you experience mood swings and those mid-afternoon slumps. To prepare this snack recipe, heat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix chickpeas, oil, salt, and pepper, and bake for 15 minutes. They should be brown and crunchy.
Almonds and Walnuts
There seems to be a debate between which nuts to eat – almonds or walnuts? You’d better snack on both. Almonds and walnuts give you energy fast. Natural, dairy-free, and gluten-free, they make a great choice if you’re on a vegan diet. According to the American Society for Microbiology, almonds have cholesterol-lowering effects and are beneficial for your gut health. On the other hand, walnuts contain high amounts of manganese for bone formation and to prevent osteoporosis. You can munch on these nuts whether they’re raw, roasted, or spiced.
On-the-Go Homemade Granola Bars
Ditch the energy bars from the grocery and make your own healthy granola bars. What’s great about granola bars is that you can enjoy different textures and flavors. And because you’re baking them yourself, you know the ingredients they contain. Since this one’s a no-bake recipe and takes about 10 minutes to prepare, just mix together in a large bowl mixed rolled oats, steel-cut oats, rice cereals, dried fruit, and nuts. Add butter, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Refrigerate for an hour.
Final Thoughts
It takes a lot of energy when you’re a professional cheerleader. Don’t forget to fuel your body the right way through these 7 simple, healthy, and delicious snacks. The snacks on this list also support your fitness goals, so don’t worry.
Suggested Readings:
Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Pro Cheerleaders
10 Best Superfoods To Add To Your Diet
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