Fuel Up This Snacky Season

My favorite simple, delicious, and nutritious summer snacks

Muhammara Dip ... so yum!

If you’ve been in my classes, you know I’m not one to sit still for long. Between running around teaching and the summer heat, huge meals can sometimes feel like too much. It’s part of the reason I’m such a "snacky" kind of girl—mini-meals keep my energy high and my stomach happy all day long, plus I just love food!

The other day, I was sitting around the kitchen table with friends, and we started sharing our favorite cooking hacks. It reminded me how much fun it is to get new ideas from others, so I wanted to share some of my go-to snacks this summer!My philosophy for summer snacking is simple: it has to be easy to prepare, fresh, satisfying, and nutritious.

My Summer Snack Favorites

• Crispy Crunchies + Delicious Dips: There's just something about pairing crunchy with creamy that really hits the spot for me! Dips with veggies, pretzels, or crackers are some of my favorite snacks. 

💡To make sure I actually eat my veggies, preparation is key—otherwise they might go bad in the back of the fridge. I try to cut carrot sticks, pepper wedges, or cucumber slices in advance and put them in the front of the fridge.

💡For a protein boost, I'll whip up a quick dip with Greek yogurt, fresh herbs (dill and cumin are my favorites!), lemon, salt, and pepper. This year, I also discovered Muhammara, a Syrian red pepper and walnut dip that's packed with heart-healthy fats and vitamins—so good! And of course, hummus is a staple for me as well.

• Summer Smoothies: With all the seasonal fruits available, smoothies are great to grab on the go or easy to whip up at home. My trick is to add a handful of greens like spinach or bok choy, pair it with sweet fruits like mango, dragonfruit, or frozen berries, and then add something sour like lemon or pineapple to balance the flavor of the greens. Finally, I'll add Greek yogurt, chia seeds, or even protein powder for an extra boost to make it more filling.

• Watermelon: I can't think of a food that makes me feel more summery than watermelon! It brings back childhood memories of the sticky, sweet juice running down my chin. Watermelon ticks so many boxes for me: it's cooling, refreshing, filling, and packed with hydration. To top it off, watermelon is a good source of vitamins A and C, minerals like magnesium and potassium, and antioxidants that aid in cell repair and muscle soreness.

• Popcorn: As a kid, summer afternoon thunderstorms meant all of us cooling off inside for a movie… with popcorn, of course! These days, I still can’t get enough. Homemade popcorn is a whole grain and a great source of fiber. Whether I use my air popper or make it on the stovetop with a little avocado oil, it's a great savory and crunchy snack. I love to top it with nutritional yeast (for added B vitamins and protein), garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of salt for a delicious, healthy snack.

In the summer, probably more than any other time of year, I can really feel how the fuel I put into my body affects my energy, mood, and workouts. Fresh, vibrant, juicy, creamy, crispy, crunchy—there are so many different options to pack more variety, excitement, and nutrition into snack time!

What are your favorite snacks as you soak up the remainder of the summer? Share your ideas over on our private Facebook group to help inspire each other!

Ready to put that energy to good use? I'd love to see you in class! Whether you prefer dancing with me in-person here in Taipei (classes have been filling up fast!) or joining from the comfort of your own home with my online class package, let’s keep dancing this summer!

Keep moving!

xx,

Katie