Snacks from the Past
Filed under: Nutrition, Recipes
I guess I am always surprised when people tell me they run out of ideas for snacks. There are so many options, but for some reason we all seem to get stuck in ruts and never expand our snacking horizons.
Well today I am resurrecting a childhood classic that I think far too many of us have forgotten in our adult lives. I am talking about Ants on a Log.
What could be a better snack than some vegetables, fruit and healthy fat that tastes absolutely freakin awesome and reminds you of watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
While many people will declare celery to be a useless vegetable, while truthfully there is no such thing. While I am a believer that foods are much greater than the sum of their parts, it can still be helpful to know what nutrients foods contain.
For example celery is a good source of vitamins C and K, folate, potassium and calcium. It also contains phthalides that may lower your blood pressure, and coumarins that may help prevent cancer.
Raisins are a good source of potassium and the trace mineral boron, as well as having a tremendously high phenol content, including resveratrol. Boron is an interesting one because it is necessary for optimal vitamin D status, which as we know is very big deal.
Peanut butter is a good source of niacin, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. It is also a source of resveratrol and rivals most fruits with its high antioxidant content.
Not a bad combination if you ask me!
Ants on a Log
- 3 large organic celery stalks
- 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons organic raisins
I specifically recommend celery and raisins be organic as they are two of the worst offenders when it comes to pesticides, just something to keep in mind. Simply spread each tablespoon of peanut butter evenly over each celery stalk, and sprinkle raisins on top. If you want to make this into a smaller snack, simply decrease to 2 large celery stalks, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and you can either keep raisins the same or cut down to 1 tablespoon. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories – 392
- Fat – 24g
- Carbs – 32g
- Fiber – 7g
- Protein – 12g
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Posted on September 15th, 2010 by Brian St. Pierre
5 Comments
September 15th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Haha that picture does look familiar Brian!
Must say I have fallen into the trap of disregarding celery, so wil need to give this a go at point
September 15th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Brian, can you explain any other reason why people would want to avoid peanut butter? The only one I have come up with is due to the high allergy potential. I specifically remember reading something by Poliquin who said “no one should be eating peanut butter if there goal is fat loss”. He didn’t elaborate unfortunately.
I always liked the fat profile of peanut butter as well as the fiber and of course protein.
Any thoughts?
March 2nd, 2011 at 7:10 am
[...] Snacks from the Past – this is a simple but often forgotten snack that I think more people would love to put back in their diet – Ants on a Log! I not only provide a recipe, I give you all of the health benefits associated with each food. [...]
December 2nd, 2015 at 5:51 am
Lorii, I’m thinking basuece of the cholesterol levels maybe? I’d be interested in your take as well on that one Holly.In terms of the peanut butter, are their any benefits to peanut butter vs. almond butter? =)
June 5th, 2016 at 4:28 am
I was so relieved to hear of your willingness! Â Thank you for your great work for humanity. Â Of course, this wasn’t for my own personal pleasure! How insulting… Oh! I neglected to have you record this via Skype. Â Wait, I think the planet is in danger again.Â