Here’s how my “afternoon routine” went today:

I pulled into my driveway, the gravel crackling under my tires. Slamming the door, I cringed as my stomach growled audibly, attempting to reach the front door a quickly as possible before my back gave out under my 400 pound backpack. Rushing up the stairs, I dropped my books on my bed before scurrying back downstairs.

Then I inhaled my entire kitchen.

The worst time to find yourself in a pantry, the day after your mom went grocery shopping, is after school. Regardless of how much I ate for lunch that afternoon, I always feel as if I’ve been lost in the dessert for a year without food or water when I get home from school. It’s a dangerous feeling, believe me.

That’s why I try to have quick, healthy snacks easy to find in the kitchen at all times possible. The best way to combat that hangry voice in your head yelling at you to grab the chips and go is to sate it with a filling snack as soon as possible. This means your snack must have healthy fats (to keep you satisfied longer), at least a little protein, and chocolate.

Well, maybe chocolate isn’t exactly necessary to make the snack filling. But when fighting against the desire for salty potato chips, I’ve found chocolate is usually the most successful tactic!

This recipe is perfect, because not only does it require just three ingredients, but it contains all the prerequisites for a perfect snack. Peanut butter (healthy fats, protein), banana (sweetness, of course!), and CHOCOLATE.

Simply put together mini sandwiches, then dip them in chocolate. Let freeze for about 20 minutes, or store for easy access following school the next day.

Hunger satisfied.

It’s that easy!

Back to School Series- Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Bites

• 1 large banana
• 2 1/2 tbs peanut butter
• 3 tbs chocolate chips

Slice banana into about 18 slices. Top half the slices with a scant teaspoon of peanut butter. Place the extra banana slices on top of each to make a mini sandwich. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (on 15 second intervals). Dip half the banana into chocolate, then remove and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Repeat with remaining banana sandwiches. Freeze for 20 minutes, or until chocolate has hardened. Enjoy or store in a Tupperware in the freezer for up to a week.

Nutrition information: (calculated using MyFitnessPal)

Calories: 61

Fat: 3g

Carbs: 7g

Protein: 1g

(Yields 9 servings)