When it comes to health, consistency is key. And to be consistent, you need to get organised. To fight those mid-afternoon sugar cravings, we like to make sure we've got delicious and nutritious snacks on hand to fuel us for a busy day ahead.

Jacqueline Alwill, nutritionist and mother says that going too long without eating can also be detrimental to your health, and it can even put your body under unnecessary stress. “When your body goes for significant periods of time without food it becomes stressed. As a result, our stress hormone, cortisol, is released. With the release of cortisol our body starts to crave sugars and increase its storage of visceral fat (the type that surrounds the stomach and intestines) and subcutaneous fat stores. Neither of these responses is particularly ideal so the key is not to let your body have extended periods without some kind of nutrient rich source of energy.”

So, while you run around looking after the needs of everyone else’s, it’s also important to make a little time to look after your own - and trust us, a little time is all you need. That’s why we’ve put together a simple list of tasty and easy ideas for you to throw in your handbag. 

Almonds (or any nuts!)

Ask any nutritionist what snacks they always pack, and we bet nuts will be at the top of the list. Almonds are filled with good fats that will not only keep you feeling full, but can help lower ‘bad cholesterol’ too. Plus, they come jam packed with Vitamin E, which does wonders for your skin.

Cut up veggies – just add hummus (or peanut butter!)

Cutting up veggies the night before a big day is the perfect snack option if you're trying to limit their sugar intake. While carrots and celery sticks are the most popular choice, but veggies like zucchini and capsicum are great ideas as well – just add a little hummus (or peanut butter) and you’re good to go.

Full fat natural yoghurt

Yes, full fat - and let us tell you why. Low fat yoghurt not only is high in sugar, but because it’s low in fat, it means that you’ll be looking for more food within an hour after you eat it. Remember - (good) fat is not the enemy!

If you’re a fan of yoghurt, look for the full fat, low sugar options to keep on hand. 

Bliss balls

Not everyone has time to make bliss balls from scratch. But Health Lab in Melbourne can make them for you and then have them delivered to you, wherever you’re based in Australia. Their bliss balls are all raw, refined sugar free, gluten-free, paleo and perfect for a delicious protein hit (or fussy eaters). All you have to do is choose from vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate or almond flavours then keep them in your fridge – where they should last a couple of months.

Cold pressed juices

Stocking up on pre-made cold pressed juices is a great way to up your vitamin and mineral intake for the day. It’s also much quicker and less messy than making juice yourself. We recommend throwing them in your bag only if you have a fridge on hand wherever you’re headed, or if you’ll be consuming one within the hour. And if you’re limiting your sugar intake, opt for juices that are veggie-based over fruit. Pressed Juices are located at most major cities in Australia and you can always ask one of their in-store nutritionists for advice.

Ora tip: We add Ora Organic Greens Superpowder+ to almost any juice or smoothie we make at home. The truth is - none of us eat enough vegetables in our daily diets, and supplementing with an organic greens powder is our fuss-free way of supporting our health. It's packed with over 25 nutritionally-dense organic greens, native Australian superfoods, herbs and mushrooms, as well as provides 15 key vitamins and minerals for energy, immunity and everyday wellness.

Roasted chickpeas

High in protein and fibre, roasting chickpeas the night before and carrying them with you all day is a much healthier option than snacking on salty chips. No matter how tasty chips might be. Throw them in your oven and drizzle them with a little olive oil, salt, cumin, and garlic powder for a flavour explosion.

Muesli bars

Unless you make your own, there aren’t many muesli bars on the market that are good for you. Unfortunately, most of them are just full of sugar and fillers! But we recently came across Soma Organic Superfood Bars which are some of the most nutritious bars we've found. Each bar is a combination of seeds, nuts, superfoods, spices and contains over 20% protein. The fibre and well-rounded balance of good fats and nutrients will keep your hunger at bay. Plus, they’re available at most major supermarkets so are relatively easy to find.

Eggs

Eggs are among one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. So boiling some and having them on hand as a snack option will do wonders for your health. They’re high in protein and good fats which will keep you satiated, but they also come jam packed with a heap of vitamins, such as A, B12 and K which are essential for your body to function at its best.

But if you're thinking boiled eggs are pretty gross plain, let us change your life with our favourite way to eat them - yummy, jammy, soy-marinated ramen eggs or ajitsuke tamago. Recipe here - you can thank us later!