Are you eating this sweet and satisfying fruit?
Okay, I’ve got a new one for you today. Prunes, my friends, prunes. You probably haven’t thought much of these purple power fruits, have you? Prunes are actually dried plums, which was news to me until just a few weeks ago. I’m glad I know more about these little gems now, because not only are they tasty, but they are also full of nutrients. Thanks to the kind folks at Sunsweet, who sent me a few things to try, I’ve added a couple new healthy snacks to my rotation using two types of prunes. I’m going to share those with you today, as well as give you a look at all of my eats from yesterday.
Creating healthy snacks using prunes
Let’s just say this tasting project was quite fun for me. I mean, do you know how good prunes smell? When I opened the first bag of deliciousness, I seriously wanted to stick my whole face in there.
So much sweetness and so much purple. Now this is a fun spread.
Of course, any time I know something is healthy, I like it even more. Apparently the nutrients in prunes, like vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron promote healthy bones. And the potassium in prunes can also help prevent hypertension. Not to mention, prunes are full of beneficial fiber, which keeps you regular (yes, I said it!) and improves your digestive health. All of that is wonderful, but truthfully, prunes just taste good and they’re pretty versatile.
As a big snacker, I’m trying to find a few new healthy things that I can munch on between meals this year in an effort to eat more variety in 2015. Therefore, I was very excited to create a couple of healthy snack recipes using my prunes. Here’s what I made …
Sweet prune and nut trail mix
Because why buy trail mix when you can create your own healthier version at home and control the ingredients? Raw nuts and something sweet always sounds good to me.
A lovely spread of Sunsweet Plum Amaz!ns Diced Prunes, raw cashews and raw almonds.
Three ingredients:
- Raw cashews
- Raw almonds
- Sunsweet Plum Amaz!ns Diced Prunes
Take a handful of each and mix them up. For extra points, fill up little containers with one-portion servings to take with you on the go.
Another lovely spread of Sunsweet Plum Amaz!ns Diced Prunes, raw cashews and raw almonds.
Take it from me, this mixture is just awesome. And the delicious diced dried plum bites used in this recipe are very sweet and flavorful, and one serving is only 100 calories. I’d also recommend putting these on top of yogurt or a salad for a little extra fiber and sweetness.
Almond butter and prune flatbread
Flatbread? Well, a version of it. You could also call this an open-face AB&P sandwich (almond butter and prune, standing in for peanut butter and jelly, of course.) Whatever it is, it’s just divine.
A shot of some crackers, almond butter and juicy Sunsweet Amaz!n Pitted Prunes.
Three ingredients:
- Almond butter
- Thin crispy whole grain crackers
- Sunsweet Amaz!n Pitted Prunes
Lay out the crackers, slather on a thin coating of almond butter and top with some juicy prunes.
I will officially be eating this every single day for eternity. And I mean it. The moist and chewy pitted prunes used in this one are to-die-for, and one serving of these prunes is only 100 calories and full of fiber. These prunes also have a low glycemic index, which is important for making you feel full for longer. While I chose to make a healthy snack with these prunes, I’d also like to eat them along side some strong cheeses, as well as wrap them up with sliced thin meat. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
Oh and the best part, these prunes are from the valley of Central California. It’s almost like I’m eating local.
My adventure in prune eating and snacking is just beginning, and I’m certainly enjoying it so far. If you’re looking to jazz up your snacking routine, may I suggest checking out what Sunsweet has to offer? If you make something cool, be sure to let me know.
Now let’s keep talking about healthy food. Shall we?
What I Ate Wednesday
Every single Wednesday, I like take a moment and show you a recap of what I typically eat in a day. Today, I’m reporting on my meals from yesterday, a healthy weekday. Here’s how it went down, and yes, some prunes made it into my daily eats.
Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Hot green tea, sweetened with almond milk and stevia. And a big bowl of vanilla overnight oats topped with a banana.
Mid-morning snack at 11 a.m.
Greek yogurt is always a good mix of carbs and protein. I ate this serving before teaching a group fitness class.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Recognize this blue masterpiece I introduced you to earlier in the week? This is a high-protein chocolate and blueberry milk-shake smoothie. This puppy was huge and filled me up for several hours. It was so thick, I had to use a spoon to slurp it up.
Mid-afternoon snack at 5 p.m.
Well this one should be self-explanatory. Two delicious and healthy snacks featuring Sunsweet prunes. Oh-my-goodness tasty.
Dinner at 8 p.m.
Two fried eggs, roasted cauliflower and two veggie patties. Unintentionally, I had no meat at dinner, but this was still a super-delicious and satisfying plate of food.
And that’s all I ate yesterday. A pretty colorful day of eats.
Alright guys, I’ll be digging into some more prunes and plums to power me through what’s to come for the rest of my week. I’m still in the midst of packing my apartment, getting everything set up in the new place like cable, internet, power, water and trash, while coordinating with the movers and cleaners. You know all of the fun stuff that has to take place when you move? It adds up. Needless to say, I’m in need of some healthy snacks to keep me going, especially before I teach a double-header of BODYPUMP and BODYATTACK tonight. Happy Wednesday! Hope you have a sweet and fiber-filled day!
More daily eating recaps
Each week, “What I Ate Wednesday” is hosted by Peas and Crayons for bloggers to showcase their eats to the world. If you want to see more food recaps, check out some of my posts from the past here:
- A full day of eating in pictures
- Another full day of my eats and drinks
- Real food isn’t always pretty
- Do you have a balanced dining out strategy?
- What I ate and drank all day
- Three meals, two snacks and a shake
- Food trucks and rest-day eating
- Plenty of protein at every meal
- Colorful fuel for a day of training
- Long days of training require a lot of food
- Making do on “What I Ate Wednesday”
- Healthy foods for a rest day
- Who doesn’t like pictures of food?
- A look at a full day of eating in pictures
- Snapshots from a day of delicious meals
- Pictures of food, because you like them
- Food pictures and the juice cleanse that wasn’t
- A look at what I really eat in a day
- What I ate in the Sunshine State
- My weekend eats and a little narrative
- Stories about food and yesterday’s meals
- A day of eating and some commentary
- Do you want to know what I ate yesterday?
- Healthy challenges and foods from my day
- Eating, napping and eating again
- Filling up on healthy food before the holiday
- A perfect birthday at home and my eats
- Top blog posts, reader stats and my food
- A different kind of training and my food
- Joining a healthy green movement and my eats
- Must-try veggie pasta tip and my eats
*Please note: I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Questions of the day
Have you ever eaten prunes or plums? What kind of healthy snack would you create with them? What’s your favorite healthy snack?
I’ve eaten plums but not prunes! You have me curious about the AB and prune flatbread snack…what kind of crackers did you use? I just may have to try that!
Hi Amy! Ohhh it’s sooo good. I bought ak-mak whole wheat crackers from Trader Joe’s. They are thin and crispy. Let me know if you try this! 🙂
I am that weird person who actually really loves prunes! I normally buy the single serving pack and just grab about three as an easy snack.
Hi Stacie!! Oh how awesome. Well I can now join you in your love for prunes. I’m going to become addicted. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
I used to eat 3 of those little dried prune guys a day in college (prior to living with you) and I loved them! Not sure when or why that habit fell off, but thanks for the reminder. Definitely going to be picking some up at Publix (sorry to rub that in 🙂 ) this weekend!
Hi Courtney! Oh Publix… how I miss it. And those bo-go deals. I’m glad I reminded you about the yummy-ness of prunes. Please enjoy! 🙂
I was drinking prune juice every day for a while for extra fiber… I actually didn’t mind it at all! I love snacking on dried fruit though… I just gotta be careful because it adds up fast calorically/with sugar!
Hi Cassie! Glad you’re a fan of the prune! And yes, these ones are pretty healthy. Hope you have a great Wednesday! 🙂
Mmm roasted Cauliflower (+ a Beano haha) is so good!! There is like 20 grams of protein in one whole head (though I am not sure if it’s complete protein, probably not!) and it tastes so sweet when it’s roasted. I always eat eggs for dinner – so quick and easy when nothing is prepped! PS. The cup of berries in the smoothie is genius, I am never that generous and they suck. Happy Hump Day!
Hi Jill, I’ve made many bad smoothies in my life, so now I know what to “go big” with … fruit! 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
I love using chopped prunes in muffins/baked goods for some extra sweetness and moisture!
Hi Lizzie! Oh that sounds yummy too! Cool! 🙂
I’ve never had a prune or a plum. Can you believe that? I didn’t start eating dates until 3 yrs ago. Now I’m obsessed. That trail mix sounds delicious!
Hi Megan, They are similar, so I think you will love prunes if you like dates. Go get some!! 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
Looove plums (esp at the farmer’s market!) but cannot do prunes. Just cannot. Dates and almond butter and coconut is as close as I get! Those oats look great!
Hi Kristine! Hahaha, well, I certainly like them. Dates are pretty close though. And the combo with almond butter is the best. Hope you’re doing well. Have a happy Wednesday! 🙂
I love love love huge smoothies!
Me too, Hilary!! 🙂 Especially when they require a spoon!
This is so weird. Reading this made me start to crave prunes, haha! I never thought I’d be saying that. I think it was the almond butter flat bread. That sounds really good!
I’m craving them right now too. They are quite good. Pick some up soon! 🙂
I’ve loved plums from when I was little, but prunes..not so much. My dad used to make me eat a handful of prunes a day for my digestive system…and I haven’t had one since! Not because I don’t like them, but I think I had prune-overload. Thanks for this post, though – I may have to pick some up during my next grocery run.
Hi Jess! I can understand the bad memories, but go back and give them another shot hehehe! 🙂
I’ve never tried actual prunes before – just prune juice, which I actually kinda hate… Long story short, I drank some in my first trimester during my pregnancy with Hunter, and it gives me bad flashbacks to those nauseous days! But, I’m intrigued by eating the actual dried fruit. I love plums and I love dried fruit, so I’m sure I’d find them tasty!
Hahha Ashley, Well yes, it would seem you have bad memories of the juice. But the dried fruits — oh-so-good. Hope you’re having a great day! 🙂
Oh, your eats always look so enjoyable but healthy too! Especially your dinner this week, it looks yummy! I have just prepared a batch of overnight oats following your recipe for the first time and I’m so excited to try them tomorrow morning!
Hi Nikki! Oh that’s great!! I really hope you enjoy the oats. Let me know how it goes. And a very happy “What I Ate Wednesday” to you!
I have to say I have never ever had prunes! Lol. I can be very weird about texture like that so I’m not sure I would like it. Your foods made me hungry they were so pretty! 🙂
Hi Katie! I love the chewiness of the prunes hehehe! Maybe it’s an acquired taste? Nonetheless, thanks for stopping by. I’m hungry! 🙂
I actually love prunes which everyone always gives me a hard time about. They are freaking delicious! It’s like eating a mini dessert! 🙂 I bet almond butter and prunes are amazing! I can’t wait to try that.
Hi Lauren, Who cares what people think? hehee You should try the little flatbread creation, sooo yummy! Hope you have a great day:)
Your food looks so colorful and delicious! I love the prune + almond butter idea! I bet prunes would make a tasty binder to some energy bites, too! Thanks for sharing your eats with us!
Hi Morganne! Yes, I bet they would. I’ll have to try that next. Glad you enjoyed me eats. I sure enjoy yours! 🙂 Have a great night!
I love prunes! They are like candy! My fave snack is probably a banana or cereal or both 🙂
Hi Jessica! Yay for prunes!! I plan to eat them a lot more often now. And yes, bananas are excellent snacks. Hope you have a wonderful evening! 🙂
I love prunes! They are like candy! 🙂
Yes I love prunes! They are amazing in bliss balls too! Yum
Bliss balls??? Hmmmm. Now that sounds good! Thanks, Krissy! Happy “What I Ate Wednesday” to you!! 🙂
My grandparents always have prunes in their house and I always snack on them when I am over. I don’t buy them myself but I do enjoy them when I eat them.
Hi Mattie! Well good for your parents for stocking up so you have something sweet to nibble!! Hope all is well with you. Happy “What I Ate Wednesday” to you! 🙂
I haven’t had prunes in a long time but now you’ve inspired me to want to snack on some! 🙂
Hi Annmarie. I know, you wouldn’t normally think of them. But they are so good! Great fuel for your workouts, of course:)
I don’t each too much dried fruit, and I haven’t had prunes in forever. I always did enjoy them though. It would be good to add them into my rotation as a snack. Happy WIAW!
For sure, Lauren! They sure are tasty. Happy WIAW to you too! 🙂
I personally think every smoothie should be consumed with a spoon!
Hahhha Jessie! I agree. Makes it much more like a meal with a spoon, right? 🙂 Have a great night!
Sadly I cannot eat fruit but my dad LOVESSSSSSSS PRUNES!!!
Hi GiGi! That is sad that you can’t have fruit. Make this for your Pa? 🙂 Hope you’re doing well, lady!
Ha Ha! PA PA would love me!! 😉 Father’s Day – best daughter of the year award coming my way! LOL!
For sure!! hehehe
Can’t say I’m the biggest fan of prunes but then again, it’s been a fair while since I’ve had any! I love your dinner plate and hope this doesn’t come out creepy but it’s like your previous lunches haha!
Arman. Not creepy. Have you noticed I haven’t been eating as much cottage cheese? Well, I haven’t been. And yes, this dinner was a lot like my lunches last week. Does that count as variety when I switch the meal I ate it at? 🙂