Fitness in the Forest: The 6 vegetarian snacks you must try

One of the most difficult challenges of being a vegetarian is knowing what to keep on hand for snacks and meals. Throughout my experience, I have found that there are a few staples to keep in your fridge and pantry that will always keep you well stocked.

1. Almond Milk

I made the switch to almond milk when I went vegan for a few months, and found that I like it so much better. It really helps to cut back on your dairy intake and has the added benefit of more calcium and protein than regular milk. I always go for unsweetened, original flavor but a lot of people like theirs sweet and with vanilla flavor. I usually use it in cereal, but you can also use it in various baked goods as well. It’s really delicious, and I recommend everyone give it a try.

2. Peanut Butter (or any other kind of nut)

I have always been a peanut butter lover, not necessarily eating a jar at a time, but I could eat some everyday without getting tired of it! Peanut butter is a great thing to use in snacks and it is also a good source of protein for vegetarians. One of my favorite breakfast or lunch foods is peanut butter banana toast. It’s perfect for morning or afternoon! You can also buy various flavors of peanut butter if the regular kind isn’t your thing. Peanut Butter & Co is my favorite brand, because they have a large variety. My favorite is their Cinnamon and Raisin Peanut Butter but the Dark Chocolate Dream and Honey flavors are also close contenders. A spoonful of chocolate peanut butter is the perfect bite to curb your desert craving (and it tastes like Reese’s!)

3. Quinoa

If I am looking to make a quick meal and don’t want to have pasta or rice again, I turn to my new friend quinoa. A lot of people don’t realize that it is actually a protein, another great reason why it is so good for vegetarians. Like rice and pasta it is very versatile for what you can do with it. One of my favorite preparations is to add some sautéed garlic, toasted almonds, and golden raisins. Quinoa is really great if you are looking for something new and can make a meal with whatever you have on hand.

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4. Maple Syrup

Now this one is a bit strange, but eating maple syrup is a habit I developed after reading a vegan blog, ohsheglows.com. The author is Canadian and uses maple syrup in place of sugar in almost all of her recipes. I really like using it for oatmeal sweetener and even in recipes for baked beans and other savory items. Another great use is in homemade salad dressing, in which you just add olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Shake it up and you have a delicious, tangy dressing that goes well on anything!

5. Beans/Legume

Some other great items to keep are canned or dried beans and legumes (such as lentils). These can be used in place of a grain for your meal and can really make something boring into a new and exciting meal. And again, we can’t forget they have protein, something we desperately need! My favorites are creamy cannellini or any kind of lentils. I have used a recipe for maple baked beans on a version with lentils, and it was absolutely delicious. It even tasted like a sloppy Joes, for those of you who occasionally miss meat.

6. FRUITS/VEGETABLES!!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep lots of fruits and veggies on hand if you are going vegetarian. They have so many good vitamins and minerals and are pretty delicious when you cook them right. My favorite vegetables are broccoli, brussel-sprouts, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions. You can always turn your veggies into an Asian-inspired stir fry or you can just roast them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mixing them in with a grain is also a great way to get a well-balanced meal. For fruits, I love bananas, kiwi, apples, nectarines, and grapes. They can all be pretty seasonal so make sure to shop for what looks best!