Seven Hunger-Staving, Metabolism-Revving Snacks

From local grub to grab when you're on the run to what to dish up in your own kitchen, here's how to snack smart

Illustration by Justin Renninger

I’m running back and forth to my Lithe studios almost all day every day, which means I have to snack smart to keep my energy up.  I avoid morning and midday crashes by reaching for my seven protien and healthy carb mainstays. Some I make at home, some I grab from my favorite Philly spots when I’m on the run.

PB Ricotta Roll-Up: Peanuts are full of protein and resveratrol, which lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and fights hunger.  To make at home: 1 small whole wheat wrap, 1 tablespoon of almond or peanut butter, 3/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese + 1 tsp of honey or agave.  Mix the ricotta, honey, and peanut butter, then spread on the wrap.  Roll it up and enjoy … I make a batch of these on Sundays so I can grab and go during the week.  If you’re on the run and in Northern Liberties, check out the Elvis Special or Honey Nut sweet toast at the Soy Cafe (630 North 2nd Street, 215-922-1003)!

Coffee: I’m a La Colombe (130 South 19th Street, 215-563-0860) lover.  Don’t feel too bad about downing the Joe, it’s full of antioxidants.  I recently read a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which shows that drinking 1 to 3 cups of java daily may slash your risk for death from heart disease by as much as 25 percent.

1/2 cup of edamame (shelled soybeans): Buy a bag of these frozen boiled soybeans and pack a handful in the am.  They should be thawed and ready to eat by snack time (appx 100 calories).  Need them in a pinch?  Head over to DiBruno’s (930 South 9th Street, 215-922-2876). Sprinkle with sea salt for a tasty high-protein, high-fiber snack.

Nuts & Dried Fruit Granola: Nuts are packed full of fiber and vitamin E, which speeds weight loss and keeps skin supple. I always pick mine up at Pumpkin Market (1609 South Street, 215-545-1173) — they have the best almonds and pumpkin seeds!

Hard-Boiled Egg & Banana: I sprinkle my eggs with salt and celery seed.  I often brown bag it from home, but this is something that you can find at any Starbucks (1801 Market Street, 215-569-4223) or corner store.

Sliced avocado on Ezekiel or whole wheat toast: Keeps metabolism revved and your belly full.

Shrimp: I’m addicted to these little guys —  I eat them almost everyday.  They are packed full of omega-3 fatty acids and the antioxidant selenium.  A 4-oz serving is about 120 calories and 23 grams of protein.  Head over to any Whole Foods or Anastasi’s in the Italian Market (9th & Washington, 215-462-0550) for fresh, tail-on or frozen shrimp.  Whole Foods (2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, 215-557-0015) sells 4-oz. to-go packs (about 12 shrimp), complete with lemon and cocktail sauce for $5.99.

Lauren Boggi is the owner and creator of Lithe Method with locations in Rittenhouse, Northern Liberties, and Ardmore. Read more about Lauren here.