Six Snacks That Make Me Want to Eat

Eating is my life . . .literally. Calories and the energy it provides serves as an important life line to my health and ability to fight infection. Everyone with CF knows that getting enough calories is vital to maintaining and gaining weight as well. That’s why when you don’t necessarily have an appetite, it’s a good idea to have a few tricks up your sleeve to jumpstart one. Lately, these are my go-to snacks that are so delicious they make me want to eat!

Nutella and pretzels

One of my not-so-guilty pleasures is Nutella. I love this chocolatey hazelnut spread especially with pretzels as dippers. It's sweet and salty, and just so delicious.  In addition, it's a snack with a good amount of calories and added sodium that many people with CF can benefit from.

Serving size: 2 Tbsp Nutella, 10 pretzel twists

Total calories: 448

Aldi cheese fondue and baguette

Around the holidays, Aldi started stocking an easy cheese fondue that you heated over the stove. This cheese changed my life. Not only is it delicious when paired with a crusty baguette, but I am certain it's the reason I have managed to keep my weight up while breastfeeding my son.

Serving size: 6 inch baguette, 4 oz fondue

Total Calories: 470

Chili onion crunch

Trader Joe's has some of the best food items around. I really love their Asian-inspired crispy, crunchy Chili Onion Crunch made from olive oil, dried onion and garlic, chili peppers and other spices.  I put it on everything--pizza, eggs, avocado toast, etc. And because it's olive oil based it's a great source of fat for Trikafta.

Serving size: 1 Tbsp

Total calories: 110

Chocolate Chex cereal

If you are a big cereal fan like me, you have to give Chocolate Chex a try. It's seriously an underrated cereal. Chocolate Chex is perfectly sweet and paired with whole milk or a milk alternative a good way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Serving size: 3/4 C cereal, 1 cup milk

Total calories: 281

TikTok feta pasta

I don't know much about TikTok but I love this TikTok feta pasta that was super trendy for a while. It's a really easy dish to make with penne, cherry tomatoes, blocked feta cheese, olive oil, garlic, and basil. It creamy and tangy and really filling. I always go back for seconds!

Serving size: 1 1/2 cup pasta

Total calories: 718

Starbucks breve vanilla latte

Everyone has their Starbucks drink that they typically order and enjoy. Mine is a breve vanilla latte, yum! "Breve" is a type of latte that is made with half and half instead of milk. That means it's a simple way of adding in more calories and fat for people who need to gain or maintain weight with CF.

Serving size: 16 oz

Total calories: 568

Now that I have shared my go-to-appetite-inducing snacks, I want to hear yours. Share with us below what you have enjoyed eating lately.