10 Healthy Snacks You Just Can’t Get Enough Of!
Have the urge to munch on something while watching your favorite football team take the field this season? Avoid the extra calories and carbs, and enjoy these delicious, easy-to-make healthy snacks!
Kashi Cereal and Strawberry Yogurt
One of my all-time personal favorites, this one is very easy to make and hits the spot . . . especially during the hot summer months. Just grab a cup or two of cold, low-fat strawberry flavored yogurt or parfait, and add in a cup of semi-crushed Kashi cereal. Not only is it delicious, but will quickly fill you up. If you’re feeling adventurous, add in fresh banana and strawberry slices, along with some crushed walnuts.
Banana Mango Yogurt Popsicles
Here’s another good way to beat the summer heat. Pour yogurt and a bit of honey into a blender along with a pinch of ground cardamom and salt. Add sliced mango and banana to the blender. Blend until it becomes a thick puree, and pour the mixture into Popsicle molds. Leave in the freezer for at least four hours, then enjoy!
Dark Chocolate and Wine
If you’re of legal drinking age, this yummy snack can be very good for you. Eating chocolate can be healthy, but we aren’t talking about Snickers or Twix here. Your chocolate must be of the dark variety and contain at least 70 percent cocoa; and the wine must be red. Each of these are a great source of antioxidants, and contain saturated fats and acid that reduce high blood pressure.
Nutty Fruit Salad
Want a snack that fills you up enough to replace a whole meal? Cut up a few strawberries, blueberries, and other assorted berries, and add some slices of watermelon, bananas, and grapes. Put the finishing touches on it by sprinkling some raisins and shelled walnuts, and enjoy!
Veggies and Hummus
If you’re craving a light, crunchy snack, veggies and hummus might hit the spot. Chop any vegetables that you like into slices – zucchini, carrot, broccoli, different colored peppers, and of course, celery are a few fan favorites. Dip them into reduced fat hummus and let the crunching begin.
Mulberries
This is an inexpensive snack, great for the on-the-go health food lover. Whether fresh or dried, these super berries are a great source of antioxidants, and contain a good amount of vitamin C, iron, and calcium. You can usually find bags of these for around $6, so load up on them!
Zucchini Fries
There are many different recipes available for zucchini fries (a great ,crunchy alternative to French fries); but they’ll almost always contain the same ingredients: zucchinis, milk, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs. To make it even healthier, use only egg whites instead of the entire egg, and replace the milk with olive oil (for the oils healthy fats).
Peanut Butter with Apples and Bananas
An easy snack to make is peanut butter with apples, bananas, or both. Make sure the peanut butter you get is all-natural, unsalted, reduced fat, and contains no additives. Cut the bananas and apples into large slices and dunk them into the peanut butter, or spread the peanut butter on the fruit if you are having a tough time getting it to stick.
Snack Bars
Now, snack bars and granola bars have gotten a bad rap as of late due to some varieties’ high sugar/fat amounts and ingredients like MSG. But not all snack bars are like that . . . you just have to find the good ones. Make sure you’re choosing bars with high fiber, high protein, and that are low in carbohydrates and sugar. And to be really safe, make sure they contain all-natural (even organic) ingredients. It’s the perfect “on the go” snack!
Almonds
These nutrient-rich nuts should be a staple in any snack bag! But for the most health benefits, choose almonds that are raw and unpasteurized, as the pasteurization process strips them of their natural oils and nutrients. Snack on them alone, or add them to your home-made trail mix with organic dried fruit and other healthy nuts such as walnuts, pistachios or cashews.
