Healthy Snacks

Healthy Snacks

Something I get asked for on a regular basis is ideas for healthy snacks. Over the years we have grown used to buying snacks from the supermarket without giving it much thought as to what went into them, or whether these snacks were good for our health or not. Many of them claim to be good for you, but are they? Stop and read the labels, you will soon find out. Insider tip…if you can’t pronounce the ingredient, the odds are it isn’t too healthy!

The reality is, most premade snacks unless they are naturally produced such as fruit packs etc, are either high in salts or sugars (under different names such as high fructose corn syrup), and in most cases ultra processed.

Guaranteed Healthy Snacks!

The best way to guarantee you know how healthy your snacks are and what ingredients have gone into your snack is by making your own. You can make them as simple or as fancy as you want.

Savoury Snacks

1. Vegetable Sticks with Hummus: Carrot, cucumber, celery, and bell pepper sticks with a side of hummus. Home made hummus is extremely easy to make too! Hummus recipe: 1 can of chickpeas (when you drain the chickpeas, keep the water!), 75ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 or 3 cloves of garlic chopped or crushed, 120ml tahini. Put into food processor and mix until it turns into a paste, add the water from the chickpeas 15ml at a time until you have a smooth creamy type paste. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. If you like spicy food, you can add some chilli flakes to it.
2. Roasted Chickpeas: Toss cooked chickpeas with a bit of olive oil and your favourite spices, and then roast them until crispy.
3. Greek Yogurt with Cucumber and Dill: Mix plain Greek yogurt with chopped cucumber and fresh dill for a creamy and refreshing dip.
4. Edamame: Steamed edamame sprinkled with a little sea salt makes for a satisfying and protein-packed snack.
5. Avocado Toast: Mash avocado onto whole-grain toast and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can also add some cherry tomatoes or a poached egg on top.
6. Popcorn with Herbs: Air-pop some popcorn and season it with herbs like rosemary, thyme, and a touch of olive oil.
7. Rice Cake with Cottage Cheese and Tomato: Top a rice cake with cottage cheese and sliced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes. It’s light, crunchy, and filling.
8. Sliced Apple with Almond/ Peanut Butter: Spread almond or peanut butter on apple slices for a balanced snack with healthy fats and fibre. Home made almond and peanut butter is extremely easy to make. Simply roast unsalted almonds/ cashew or peanuts for approximately 5 minutes. Put into a food processor until smooth, You will need to stop every so often and scrape the sides. Keep going until you have a smooth creamy texture and enjoy.
9. Hard-Boiled Eggs: A hard-boiled egg is a great source of protein and can be seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper.
10. Mixed Nuts: A handful of unsalted mixed nuts provides healthy fats, protein, and fibre.
11. Caprese Skewers: Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
12. Quinoa Salad: Mix cooked quinoa with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette.
13. Healthy Protein bars – Recipe for Home Made Protein Energy Bars

Remember to pay attention to portion sizes and try to include a variety of nutrients in your healthy snacks. These options provide a balance of protein, healthy fats, and fibre to help keep you satisfied and energised.