People often ask what I snack on and I think there is a common misconception that it’s really difficult to stay healthy throughout the day, especially when you are on-the-go. Although there is some organisation and preparation involved when it comes to healthy snacking, there are so many delicious, easy recipes that are totally desk draw or handbag friendly!

I know lots of people try to avoid snacking, but if you’re hungry and the snack is full of goodness then I think it’s important to start munching on something – it’s just what you snack on that matters. If your snacks consist of high amounts of added sugar then you are more likely to experience extreme high and lows in your energy throughout the day, which isn’t great for feeling happy and balanced. Whereas if you ensure that your snacks consist of plant-based protein, fat and fibre, then this will help to control your blood sugar levels over time and your energy and mood should be way better! I tend to eat something every 3 hours or so, whether that’s a meal or a small snack – this way I don’t get an energy dip, which is great.

So what are the best snacks? When I’m at home or near a kitchen then I absolutely love mashed avocado on toast (either rye bread or a good gluten free one), medjool dates stuffed with nut butter or some crudités or roasted sweet potato wedges dipped in guacamole. However on days when I am travelling around London, I need more portable snacks that are easier to carry around with me and are completely mess free – even I wouldn’t start eating avocado toast on the tube! These types of snacks are also really great to take into work with you to have on hand when you hit that mid-afternoon slump.

My go-to snack for an energy pick-me-up has got to be the ultimate energy bites with almond and chia which are packed with antioxidants, omega and fibre and are the perfect replacement for your chocolate bar as they’re still nice and sweet. If I feel that I need an extra boost, I love adding hemp protein powder into the mixture to get a protein hit to fuel me up for the rest of the day. These energy bites are super easy to make too. I often make a big batch on Sunday which will last in the fridge throughout the week. The date and oat bars as well as the granola bars are also great snacks to grab and go. They make the perfect breakfast bar if you’re running out the door in a rush in the morning too.

Smoothies are also a great way to snack on-the-go. They are seriously so quick to make, you take it in a bottle and can even sip on it when you’re out and about. If any smoothie recipe contains chia seeds then skip these though as otherwise the smoothie will set and you won’t be able to drink it! Although shop bought smoothies might seem like an easier option, they often contain a lot of added sugar and additives too – plus they’re pasteurised so the goodness isn’t the same at all. It’s great to be able to get into a habit of making a fresh smoothie every morning – trust me it’s so worth waking up 3 minutes earlier for, as it makes you feel so amazing!

Savoury snacks are awesome too though. As simple as it sounds, carrot or cucumber sticks dipped in hummus is one of my favourite savoury snacking combinations – it seriously never gets old! My hummus addiction is slightly out of control – I honestly can’t go a day without it, so I snack on this a lot. If you want something a bit spicier you can try the roasted red pepper and paprika hummus – or there’s a beetroot hummus recipe in the book, which is amazing! It’s super easy to make a batch of hummus on the weekend and store it in a container in the fridge for about 5 days (if you don’t eat it all in that time!) If you prepare in this way then you can just add a dollop to a small container with some vegetable sticks and you have yourself the perfect study or work snack! I’ve found that the organic supermarket hummus’ in the UK have a really clean list of ingredients though, so you can always jump in there and pick a tub up if you need a quick hummus fix!

The other great thing is that there are now lots of shops selling pretty healthy snacks, especially in London, so you should now be able to grab something nourishing when you’re out and about. I love snacks like kale chips, date and nut bars, chia pudding, green juice or even some raw chocolate. My go to shops for these are Planet Organic, Whole Foods and Revital – between the three chains they have most areas of the city covered!