Our eyes pop up with excitement just on hearing the word ‘snacks’. Most often, snacks are co-related to junk foods. But what if I say that snacks can also be healthy and tasty. Yes, healthy snacks can be easily prepared in the comfort of our home with readily available ingredients.
What are healthy snacks?
Snacks are generally defined as any food consumed in between main meals. There are several reasons why many people snack at least once during the course of a day.
It’s hard to resist binge eating when our stomachs begin to growl several hours after our last meal.
Another possibility is a drop in energy levels, which can be remedied with a small bite, or perhaps we simply enjoy the taste of certain snack foods to satisfy our cravings.
Type of healthy snacks
Popcorn
Popcorn is a healthy, crunchy snack and is no longer just for a movie night. A healthier version of this snack can be prepared at home with light seasoning and toppings low in calories.
Popcorn is loaded with fibre, making a person feel full and reducing the risk of heart disease.
One can relish eating this snack without worrying about overindulging as popcorn can be low in calories, depending on the topping and can also be prepared at home.
Seasoning the popcorn with a little bit of cinnamon sugar or chilli lime seasoning provides the desirable taste.
Nuts
Given their abundance in fibre, protein and good fats, nuts are always a wise choice when it comes to consuming healthy snacks. Due to their capacity to keep a person fuller longer than other snacks, nuts are the best choice for weight loss and maintenance.
Although every type of nut is healthy, some provide particular benefits. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, helping with thyroid disease, and hazelnuts are high in folate, supporting cell growth in the body.
The best way to reap the benefits of nuts is to eat them in moderation.
Chia pudding
Chia pudding looks incredibly delectable while still being extremely healthy. The main component of the dish—chia seeds are rich in fibre and antioxidants that can help fight inflammation.
These seeds are beneficial for the body in addition to having a mild, nutty flavour that goes well with just any recipe. Topping the pudding with a fruit or fruits of choice gives the dish an additional flavour.
Chia pudding is delicious and filling, so one won’t experience those annoying hunger pangs for about an hour after the snack. Preparing the pudding in advance requires soaking the seeds the previous night for consistency and nutrient absorption.
Fruit and nut butter
Turning healthier is great when fruit and nut butter is there to satisfy the sweet tooth. This dessert is enticing for our taste buds and good for our bodies.
Fruits, as opposed to refined sugar, can sate the sweet cravings healthily and naturally. Fruit can now be dipped in nut butter to create a nutritious snack due to their fibre and protein content.
Veggies and hummus
Bid bye to chips and savouries during family time and offer some healthy, creamy hummus in its place. It is significantly more nutritious than dips with mayo or cream since it is primarily made of chickpeas and tastes fantastic.
Slice bite-sized vegetable pieces. Any number of vegetables is acceptable. Vegetable slices with hummus are way healthier than other snacks.
Eggs
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein. People should eat a protein-rich snack if they want a filling treat to keep them full between meals.
Protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, so a snack containing protein will help a person feel fuller for longer. Eggs, with their additional nutritional benefits, can be a go-to snack for anyone.
Dried fruits
While tying us over with filling fibre, dried fruit can sate our mid-afternoon sweet tooth. A few dried apricots or dates with raw nuts are the best choice for an additional serving of healthy fat.
Dried fruits are typically much healthier than refined products and sugar-rich fruits.
Dried fruit is a good source of complex carbohydrates and can help meet fibre requirements. The next time one craves sweet fruit snacks, these nutritious dietitian-recommended dried fruit snacks are totally effective.
Multi-grain crackers
Due to their high nutrient content, multi-grain crackers make a healthy snacking option.
The fibre content of multi-grain crackers is one of their main advantages. The intake of B vitamins may be increased as a result.
Serve multi-grain crackers with fresh basil leaves and tomato slices for a light snack that increases the intake of cancer-preventive lycopene and vitamin C.
Organic yoghurt
It’s never too late to include yoghurt on one’s list of healthy foods. Yoghurt is a filling snack that nourishes an individual with a generous amount of calcium, protein, B vitamins and other minerals like phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Yoghurt comes in various flavours, including plain, flavoured, Greek and low-fat.
Avocado
Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrients. It is loaded with vitamins, fibre and good fats. It is an excellent addition to almost any meal and is the ideal way to complete snacks to make them more filling.
It is delightful to know how well citrus fruits and avocado complement one another. Citrus’s acidic flavour gives the avocado a refreshing, tropical flavour while preventing it from browning. The mint-topped avocado salad is refreshing, easy and delicious.
Fresh fruits
One can’t go wrong when it comes to consuming more fruits. Every fruit is a fantastic choice. Research suggests that a minimum of four to five servings of fruit daily can improve mood and lower the risk of lifestyle disorders.
Fruit is a wise choice for overall health and can aid in weight loss because its fibre promotes better digestion and keeps a person full for fewer calories. These nutrient-dense snacks come in handy and save our cooking time.
Vegetables
A weight-loss plan may include increasing the vegetable intake. One should ideally eat vegetables with every meal. These savoury snacks will satisfy the cravings while helping to maintain the weight loss goals.
Vegetables are essential for health, regardless of the weight loss or weight maintenance goal. They are lower in calories and more nutrient-dense than most packaged snacks on the market.
Vegetables are high in fibre, which is satiating and supports good gut health. Veggies are a great way to keep a person satisfied until the next meal, especially when combined with healthy fat.
Bananas
A great snack comes in the form of a banana. Incorporating bananas into a healthy diet makes it more delicious. Pairing with other foods makes bananas more filling and nutritious.
Keep a few on hand for a tasty treat that is high in fibre, potassium and natural sugar.
Apple chips
Apple chips are a delectable and nutritious replacement for typical afternoon snacks. Addiction to these apple chips is expected since they are perfectly thin and crispy, naturally sweet and just spicy enough with the addition of a little cinnamon.
It’s incredibly easy to make the apple chips by baking them in the oven. Although we go crazy for baked sweet potato and banana chips, it doesn’t take long to make the healthy apple chips our favourite.
Thankfully, it’s healthier than the usual salty potato chips. Apples are naturally sweet, so this recipe doesn’t call for any additional sugar. However, a little bit of brown sugar on top might be a tasty indulgence.
Benefits of healthy snacks
Snack consumption can have a significant impact on one’s health. However, choosing healthy snacks can have many advantages.
Snacking on junk food, on the other hand, can result in weight gain and other health issues.
Increases sustained energy
After exercise, choosing a healthier snack can aid in refuelling energy reserves and hasten muscle recovery.
A post-workout snack that includes both a protein and carbohydrate source is healthy. For boosting energy, eat that snack 15 to 30 minutes after working out.
Improves cognitive function
Trans fat-rich foods have been linked to a long-term decline in memory, focus, and cognition, suggests recent studies.
On the other hand, few articles claim that foods high in antioxidants, B vitamins and proteins are excellent for supporting cognition, concentration and memory. Therefore, healthy snacks are a boon for overall health.
Better nutrition for a better mood
Foods high in nutrients like folic acid, vitamin C, magnesium and B-12 can affect a person’s mood. Various fruits and vegetables make the best snacks for a person working in a problematic working atmosphere.
When new obstacles appear in their path, those necessary nutrients will go a long way toward assisting people in remaining composed, concentrated and upbeat.
Healthy snacks can make a healthier body
The advantage of healthy snack consumption is that the body gets good things to eat rather than empty calories and food high in fat, sugars and salt.
Healthy snacks are essential for maintaining the health of our digestive systems. Fibre-rich foods can lower blood pressure and blood sugar and even help prevent some diseases.
Improves gut health
Probiotics can even be incorporated into the diet in some way. Probiotics are living bacteria that feed our digestive system with living organisms. These organisms support a healthy gut flora balance and control the growth of harmful bacteria.
Protects heart health
Eating small, frequent meals aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Additionally, it may lower cholesterol levels. One of the best ways to improve an individual’s health is through healthy snacking.
Healthy snacks can keep health and diet in check
Healthy snacking prevents extreme hunger, preventing overeating and weight gain. A person consuming three large meals can reduce the amount of each meal by adding in some healthy snacks. This will speed up the body’s digestion and helps in managing weight.
Conclusion
We live at a time when everyone is aware of the food that enters the body and its effect. It’s also difficult to get from breakfast to lunch and from lunch to dinner without munching on something. But healthy eating doesn’t have to be that challenging.
Additionally, a midday snack is very beneficial for the metabolism. One can get through the day without constantly reaching for the snack jars through simple snack ideas.
Choosing healthy snacks with little or no preparation would be a much-needed transformation in the diet for a better living.
