3 Quick Toast Snacks that Nourish a Chronically Ill Body – Recipes

Toast snacks are an ideal option if you struggle with time, fatigue and pain. If you have a chronic illness, I have no doubt you have found yourself in the following situation (likely countless time): you are exhausted, the fatigue crushing, but you need to eat. When our energy is low, it is tempting to grab whatever we can around us that is fast, quick and easy. The downside to this is, we usually grab unhealthy, processed food that isn’t nourishing or healing to the body —and the cycle begins. Low nutrient dense food intake = minimal nutrition and energy to the body = no change in energy levels and little healing or nourishment to the body.

Luckily, there are some quick snack ideas that can be compiled in a matter of minutes – and, the even better news? They are healthy, and nutrient dense, offering your body solid nutrition.

As someone who practically lives in the kitchen when I have moments in my day where I have a good balance of energy, I would recommend when you have a few extra minutes in your day (and you feel steady and strong enough), just take a few and do some food prep. This step will be extremely helpful in those moments you feel completely exhausted and would not have the energy to prep food.

Meal Prep Quick Tip for Toast Snacks

One way to save yourself time and energy for those moments you don’t feel well is to prepare in advance. I usually slice tomatoes, fennel, cucumbers, olives,or my other favorite veggies and put them in separate small tupperwares or zip lock baggies. You can also slice avocado to help assemble the snack below. In addition, you can purchase your favorite hummus ahead of time, or, if you have a good ten-minute burst of energy, you can make your own. (The process is actually quick and simple – and delicious).

Toast Toppers – 3 Quick Recipes

Now, let’s get on to the three yummy toast snacks when you need a quick pick me up, and don’t have the energy to make an intricate, time consuming and energy depleting meal:

1. Avocado and Hummus Toast – Grab your favorite slice of bread (gluten free, if needed). Opt for a seed/nut/nutrient dense bread if your diet allows vs. plain white bread. Toast first if desired.
   Spread a thick layer of your favorite hummus – try creative flavors like sun dried tomato, chipotle, or roasted garlic (if garlic doesn’t bother you).
   Add sliced avocados and top with your favorite seeds like hemp seeds, poppy or sesame! Enjoy. Assembly time shouldn’t be more than 5 minutes.
2. Banana and Nut Butter Toast – Grab your favorite slice of bread – again, try to choose a nutrient packed bread with seeds, nuts, and even oats (if you eat oats). Toast if desired.
   Spread a thick layer of your favorite nut butter on top like almond, cashew, soy, peanut, sunflower seed, etc. depending on your allergy and dietary needs.
   Top with sliced bananas and blueberries, raspberries (my favorite), or blackberries. Sprinkle hemp seeds to top off. Enjoy! Assembly again shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
3. Tomato and Hummus Toast – And last but not least, if nightshades like tomato do not increase your symptoms, this tomato toast topper is delicious. I prefer larger tomatoes as they stay on the bread better but cherry tomatoes work too!
   Grab your favorite slice of bread, again choosing a more nutrient dense option over white bread. Toast if desired. Spread on a thick layer of hummus like artichoke, olive, or jalapeno cilantro.
   Add sliced tomato and top off with sliced olives, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, or freshly chopped basil! Enjoy! Assembly shouldn’t take more than five minutes.