5 Of My Favourite Healthy Snacks
Karen Scobie
Most of us get peckish at some point in the day. However, it can be difficult to keep those sugar cravings at bay, instead of reaching for a chocolate bar or packet of crisps why not try some of these snacking ideas. We can often make the mistake of not balancing our blood sugars and getting hungry easily. Having a snack that has both complex carbohydrates and protein will give you long lasting energy in between meals.
1. Humous (with just about anything)
Humous is not only delicious with nearly anything; toast, oatcakes, rice cakes, carrots, even cucumber, but is also filled with several health benefits. Since hummus is so rich in protein, it can help fight hunger cravings and balance blood sugar levels. This could help curb excessive snacking.
Chickpeas (the main ingredient) can help lower cholesterol and even may help reduce your risk of cancer.
It is also super easy and quick to make!
2. Avocado on toast
Avocado is a high fat food. But its good fat. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don’t just contain any fat… the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.
3. Miso Soup
Miso contains several essential vitamins and minerals, as well as poly and monounsaturated fats. It also has a high level of protein, dietary fibre, carbohydrates, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Add some carrots and pakchoi and a handful of Soba noodles and you have a very tasty nourishing snack.
4. Seed and nut bars
Most nuts are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. Although good for you, these fats are high in calories (almost double the calories per gram as carbs and protein), so you'll want to carefully watch how many nuts you eat if you're trying to lose weight.
Many nuts and seeds contain magnesium and potassium, which work to prevent osteoporosis. Magnesium also helps protect against type 2 diabetes, and along with manganese and vitamin B6, may improve PMS symptoms.
All nuts and seeds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps keep your skin beautiful and may help protect your eyesight. The omega-3 fats, selenium, and zinc in some nuts and seeds offer similar benefits to the skin. Zinc, in particular, helps maintain collagen, which keeps your skin smooth, supple, and firm, and zinc also keeps your nails strong. Along with vitamin B6 and biotin, zinc contributes to healthy hair.
5. Green Smoothie
Get your daily allowance of fruits and vegetables. Consuming the daily recommendations of fruits and vegetables can be a challenge.
Quick and easy. Making your own nutrient dense smoothie doesn’t take as long as preparing most meals, giving you more time for others things. Taking a smoothie with you is an additional convenient option. Just make sure that you don't have more that one portion of fruit and go for the low GI versions, apples, pears, berries or stoned fruits. If you were putting banana in your smoothie swap it for half an avocado.
For more ideas on snacking or cooking, be sure to visit my recipe page.
Likewise, if you are looking for advise on eating and lifestyle get in contact with me now!