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The 3pm Snack: How to Make it Healthy + Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding & Blueberry Trail Mix Recipes

in Other, Snacks

I was provided with coupons for free product by Driscoll’s Berries, but as always, all opinions are my own.

I am a snacker.  I am not one of those three meals and one snack kind of girls.  No.  I am more like a three meals and six snacks kind of girl.  Snacks fuel me up with energy and get me through my days, especially the long and busy work days.  Because I incorporate a lot of snacks into my day, I also try my best to ensure that the majority of these snacks are healthy options.  And after following a fairly “clean” mostly plant-based diet for a couple of years now, I am no stranger to the plethora of delicious good-for-me snacks out there.

You see some of my favorite snacks featured in my What I Ate Wednesday posts, but I decided it might be nice to dedicate an entire post to some of my favorite go-to healthy snacks.  I am teaming up with Driscoll’s Berries to provide you with several ideas for how to replace your unhealthy snacks with some delicious alternatives- blueberry style.  Blueberries are a great snack choice because they are low in calories, rich in antioxidants, high in Vitamin C, and are a good source of fiber (source).   Let’s turn our 3pm snack cravings into healthy, berry-filled ones!

chocolate chia pudding bluberries

I just recently jumped on the chia seed pudding band wagon, and boy am I glad that I did!  My favorite flavor right now is a chocolate chia seed pudding (recipe below).  I love adding sweetness to mine by adding in fresh fruit.  This snack is the perfect solution for your sweet tooth afternoon cravings because it is high in fiber (8 grams to be exact) to keep you full, and it is sweet from the blueberries.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Serves: 1

Ingredients

1 TB whole chia seeds
1 TB milled chia seeds
1 packet Stevia or 2 tsp coconut sugar
1 tsp cocoa powder
dash of cinnamon
dash of vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
blueberries (optional…but not really ;))

Directions

1. Mix all dry ingredients.

2. Stir in wet ingredients.

3. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 5 hours.

4. Stir in blueberries or other desired add-ins (raspberries and/or chocolate chips would be delicious, too).

3pm snack driscolls 2

Speaking of keeping you full, how about some sweet protein-rich blueberry almonds?  I love Blue Diamond almonds because they have so many delicious and flavorful varieties.  I am a big fan of the sea salt and vinegar and coconut flavors, and just recently tried the berry flavors.  There’s nothing quite like satisfying my snack cravings with some healthy fats!  I normally eat half of a bag and pair it with dried fruit, like raisins.

3pm snack driscolls 3

Before transitioning to a mostly vegan diet, I was a major fan of yogurt.  It was actually rather difficult for me to stop eating it.  That is, until I discovered and tried non-dairy yogurts.  I am a big fan of soy, almond, and coconut milk yogurts, and stirring in chia seeds and fresh berries takes them over the top.

And finally, quite possibly the best for last…

3pm snack driscolls

Driscoll’s sent me a sample of their Blueberry Trail Mix, which made for a perfect afternoon snack.  I simply added my own blueberries and chowed down.  It is probably a good thing that they only sent me a sample because I definitely could have eaten handful after handful ;).  And lucky for you, I am going to pass along the recipe.

Blueberry Trail Mix

Serves: 12

Ingredients

1 cup raw whole almonds
1/2 cup shelled walnuts
1/4 cup raw pistachios
1 1/2 TB honey
1 tsp canola oil
1/2 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 cup Barbara’s Original Puffins Cereal (I think it would be awesome with the cinnamon flavor, too!)
blueberries, for serving

Directions

Preheat an oven to 300 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, combine the almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.  In a small saucepan, combine the honey, oil, chipotle powder, cayenne, and cinnamon.  Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring well until the mixture is warmed through.  Pour the honey mixture over the nuts and stir with a rubber spatula until coated.  Sprinkle the salt over the nuts and toss to combine.  Spread the nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes.  Let cool completely before serving.  Transfer the nuts to a large bowl.  Add the cereal and toss to combine.  To serve, combine 1/4 cup nut mixture with 1/4 cup fresh blueberries.  Store nut mixture in an airtight container for 1 week.

Don’t get me wrong.  Blueberries on their own are absolutely delicious.  But when reaching for a snack to satisfy those pesky afternoon cravings, adding in lots of protein, fiber, and some healthy fats is so important in order to help keep us full and satisfied.  All of these snack ideas totally fit the bill.

Now hop on over to the Driscoll’s website for more 3pm blueberry snack ideas and to enter into the 3pm Snack Survival Sweepstakes to win a Vitamix blender, snack containers, and blueberries for a year.  You better believe I entered!

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{ 11 comments… add one }
  • Danica @ It's Progression January 16, 2014, 7:21 am
    I'm definitely a snacker too - I look forward to them! :) That chia pudding looks great...I'll have to try it sometime soon! Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...{vlog} let’s talk….my history of hormonal imbalance and the birth control pill.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2014, 1:40 pm
      I do too!! They pick my mood right up and help me make it through the work day! ;)
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl January 16, 2014, 9:45 am
    Love those blueberry almonds! Unfortunately, all of my HLS swag is gone. :( I will definitely have to try the trail mix out. It's sounds super yummy!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2014, 1:43 pm
      I still have a few stragglers left from HLS. I think I am trying to make it all last forever... ;)
  • Nicole @ FruitnFitness January 16, 2014, 10:42 am
    I love snacking! I typically eat at least two snacks everyday. One snack in the morning and one, usually 2, in the afternoon. My favorite snacks recently have been healthy muffins, nuts, veggies and yogurt. Nicole @ FruitnFitness recently posted...Thinking out LoudMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2014, 1:44 pm
      Nuts are definitely one of my favorite snacks...especially in the form of nut butter ;).
  • Ashley January 16, 2014, 4:23 pm
    I'm so a snacker too - and I'm always looking for new healthy ideas to get me through the day! I really want to try chai seed pudding - I've seen a few recipes lately and I love that this one has some chocolate! Ashley recently posted...Skillet Cornbread with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried TomatoesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2014, 8:23 pm
      You should definitely try it!! Adding chocolate really takes it over the top :).
  • Ang @ Nutty for Life January 16, 2014, 4:32 pm
    Super cool that you're working with Driscoll's! I have a love/hate with chia pudding. Sometimes the textures really get to me if I don't pair it with the right sides, but I have found that berries do the trick for me and I can enjoy the pudding! Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted...Thinking Out Loud #2My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 16, 2014, 8:27 pm
      Yeah, you definitely have to be okay with the texture. I am actually surprised that I am considering I normally have a weird thing with different textures.
  • John Gatesby February 7, 2024, 7:19 am
    It’s great to see how blueberries can be incorporated into snacks like chocolate chia seed pudding and blueberry trail mix, providing both flavor and health benefits. The emphasis on protein-rich and fiber-filled snacks to satisfy afternoon cravings is a practical approach to healthy eating. John Gatesby recently posted...Signs and Symptoms of Dysautonomia (Autonomic Dysfunction)My Profile

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