Healthy snacks provide an opportunity to consume nutrient-rich foods between meals. By having healthy options at hand, they help regulate hunger and cravings while supporting weight management.
Choose snacks with low added sugar and sodium content, like fruit or whole grain crackers paired with protein sources like cheese, yogurt or edamame.
Fruit Smoothie
Fruit smoothies are an easy and tasty way to increase your daily fruit and vegetable consumption. Simple to create and customizable for any palate or diet plan.
If you prefer your smoothies sweeter than what can be achieved naturally from fruits alone, add a small amount of sugar or another natural sweetener such as honey to the mix. For those seeking bolder flavors with their smoothie, adding lemon juice or pinches of salt could add extra zing and depth.
Your smoothie’s liquid base can include anything from milk or dairy-free alternatives, yogurt, water, low-fat fruit juice, plant-based beverages or, for a tropical twist, coconut milk. To thicken it further, try adding some ice cubes before blending!
Edamame
Edamame, a favorite sushi restaurant appetizer, can easily be made at home using whole pods steamed in water and removed seeds (the shells are tough and inedible). One half cup contains almost 10% of your recommended daily allowance of iron; additionally it also contains choline which has been linked with memory, muscle movement and sleep problems according to recent studies.
As with tofu and tempeh, edamame beans are an excellent source of complete soybean protein – meaning that they contain all the amino acids necessary for building muscles. Edamame is an excellent vegetarian- and vegan-friendly option; although omnivores also enjoy this healthy snack. Furthermore, one cup serving provides eight grams of dietary fiber which helps support digestive health.
Baked Apples
Baked apples are an old-fashioned dessert that are easy to prepare, delicious and nutritional. Baked apples make for the perfect dish on a cold winter evening and will fill your house with an irresistibly aromatic scent while baking! Enjoy them warm or at room temperature – either way they won’t disappoint.
Make this baked apple recipe healthier by opting for low-fat butter or nonstick cooking spray as an alternative to butter to avoid sticking in the oven, maple syrup, honey or stevia as sweeteners, cinnamon nutmeg or allspice for flavor enhancement and adding this simple 3-ingredient recipe – an effortless snack or treat!
Pita Stuffed with Ricotta Cheese
Snacks can be an excellent way to gain essential nutrition when time for meals is limited. Opt for nutritious options that are low in sugar and fat while still satisfying you.
Avoid packaged snacks that contain excessive levels of sugar and salt by choosing foods with more green and amber lights on their traffic light label, or use the NHS food scanner app to find healthier options.
Create an easy and nutritious snack using pita bread with ricotta cheese, fresh basil or chives and other seasonal ingredients such as guacamole with bell peppers for an on-the-go bite any time of day! Keep a selection of healthy snacks in your fridge so you can grab one when hunger strikes!
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has quickly become a protein-packed dairy product with wide application in both sweet and savory dishes, thanks to its thicker texture resulting from straining out excess whey. Furthermore, its high concentration of probiotics may aid digestion (12).
Yogurt contains high amounts of calcium and vitamin D, essential components of bone health. Furthermore, studies suggest that regular yogurt consumption could lower women’s risk of vaginal yeast infections (11).
Greek yogurt’s unique combination of rich flavor and creamy texture make it an invaluable ingredient, perfect for adding texture to smoothies and soups as well as serving as an easy breakfast on-the-go.
