Feeling peckish between meals, but don’t want to eat empty calories? These nine nutritious snacks will look after your waist and satisfy your hunger, as well as please your tastebuds.
1. Crunchy baked chickpeas
Chickpeas are highly nutritious. In Chinese medicine, they are considered beneficial to the pancreas, stomach and heart (if you think about it, chickpeas are shaped somewhat like a heart). They’re also high in protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates. Why not enjoy them as a snack by making your own crunchy baked chickpeas?
2. Natural yoghurt with fresh fruit
Whether you realise it or not, low fat flavoured yoghurt is not healthy. According to food research author Michael Pollan, it contain as much sugar as Coca-Cola. So, why not make your own healthy version with natural, unflavoured yoghurt – which is full of good bacteria – and freshly chopped fruit and a handful of nuts?
3. A piece of fruit and a handful of nuts
This option is the easiest, ‘cleanest’ and healthiest of ‘em all. It’s also easy to pack a banana or an apple and some nuts in a Ziploc bag to carry with you should hunger strike when there’s nothing healthy available in sight.
4. Apple slices or celery boats with nut butter
This is a quick and delicious snack that will keep your energy levels up and satisfy your hunger. Just slice an apple into some wedges, or cut a couple of celery stalks into three to four pieces to make celery ‘boats’, and spread them with natural peanut butter (made only with peanuts and no additives) or nut butters, such as almond or a combination (e.g. almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews). But don’t go overboard; two tablespoons of nut butter is plenty.
5. Cottage cheese and fresh fruit
A powerhouse of protein, and therefore filling, cottage cheese with some fresh fruit to sweeten the deal is a perfect choice for a satisfying between-meal pick-me-up.
6. Blueberry and chia smoothie
A fruit smoothie is scrummy way to get in some extra calcium, protein, fibre and antioxidants. Try blending until smooth 1/4 cup of natural yogurt, 1/3 cup of frozen blueberries, one small (or 1/2 large) banana, two tablespoons of chia seeds and 1/2 cup of coconut water.
7. Hummus and veggie sticks
If you’re craving a savoury rather then sweet snack, you can’t beat a good hummus dip. Better if it’s homemade, so there are no hidden nasties. Homemade hummus has no empty calories, for each calorie is packed with nutrition. Enjoy it with some veggie sticks, which you can chop beforehand and stash extras in an airtight container in the fridge. I like carrots, celery, cucumber and red capsicum.
8. Trail mix
This is a mix of nuts, seeds and some dried fruit, such as apricots and cranberries, and toasted coconut flakes. You can make a big jar of it and store it in the fridge. It’s a lifesaver for when you’re super busy, travelling or just want a quick, high-protein snack.
9. ‘Banana ice-cream’
A one-ingredient dessert or snack, banana ice-cream tastes so much like the real deal, but is only made with frozen bananas. Really, you could fool anyone with it. Blend two bananas in a high-speed blender until creamy and has no chunks. It will serve two. You can add a splash of milk or some nut butter to make it creamier. Or get more creative with these five recipes.
On which healthy and nourishing snacks do you fill up to look after your health? Why not share them with our members?
