Healthy snacks should contain protein, heart-healthy fats and fiber to keep you satisfied until your next meal. Think of snacks as mini meals; choose whole foods in smaller portions.
Attain nutrient-rich snacks like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy to fill those unhealthy snack gaps.
Fruit
Fresh, whole fruits can add natural fibre and nutrients to your snacking regimen, offering natural sources of fibre and other vital vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten alone or added as toppings on pancakes and waffles for breakfast!
Traditional fruit snacks often contain too much sugar and high fructose corn syrup; for optimal health, look for varieties with “100% fruit” listed as their ingredient or organic options that do not use synthetic colors.
If you’re in the mood for some snacking, why not create these fun orange pumpkins with watermelons, mango and wooden skewers as snacks or try these chocolate shell smoothie bowls made entirely of fruit? For additional support with your eating habits connect with a registered dietitian.
Vegetables
Even though vegetables may not be everyone’s top food choice, they offer many health advantages. Low in calories and rich in fiber content, veggies help you feel full while supporting gut health and reducing the risk of heart disease.
No matter your vegetable preferences, there is an array of nutritious snack options to choose from. Try roasting cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini or carrots for an enjoyable crunchy snack and serve it up with dipping sauce for even greater satisfaction!
Eating more veggies can be a great way to increase your plant-based protein intake, which can be particularly helpful for vegetarians and those on medical diets. Plus, veggies contain many essential vitamins and nutrients like potassium and folate that may reduce the risk of strokes, cardiovascular diseases, hemorrhagic strokes and even cancer of the esophagus.
Nuts
Nuts are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. Plus, they contain minerals like copper and magnesium – plus some nuts contain saturated fat while being an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids such as pine nuts, pistachios or almonds!
Nuts can be high in calories. To manage their impact on weight loss more effectively, opt for smaller nut varieties or use them sparingly if trying to shed extra pounds. When shopping for unsalted varieties make sure they do not contain coatings that add sugar or salt as this could stall progress.
Try including nuts in trail mix, wholegrain toast, fruit or yoghurt as a tasty topping, or as an alternative to high calorie, hyperpalatable foods like chips or chocolate. Two prospective studies suggest that frequent nut consumption could protect against type-2 diabetes – however results were inconsistent across groups and further studies are warranted.
Bars
Healthy snacks are defined as those which provide a balance of essential nutrients while being low in calories, fat, added sugars and sodium content. Be sure to read and compare nutrition facts labels when purchasing packaged snacks.
Energy bars offer an easy solution for busy lifestyles, providing a balanced meal of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals all in a portable format. Energy bars may even play an integral part in weight management as they regulate calorie consumption by offering controlled nutrient consumption.
Fruit, veggies and whole grains provide plenty of fiber while helping you feel full. Consider keeping these items visible and accessible – such as in the fridge or on the counter – so they’re easier for you to reach without overindulging on other food sources like “junk food.” Additionally, avoid keeping snacks like chips out of sight as this can encourage snacking too often or overdoing it!
Popsicles
Making homemade popsicles at home is an engaging and delicious way to connect with your children while using whole food ingredients and eliminating processed ones from store-bought treats.
Try these delicious popsicles that combine fruit with the creamy base of greek yogurt for an enjoyable frozen treat that provides added protein! Not only is the yogurt healthier than traditional popsicles, it provides an additional source of protein!
These popsicles are deliciously refreshing, easy and affordable. Not only are they an excellent source of Vitamin C but they’re an easy way to introduce kids to new fruits and veggies while simultaneously increasing fiber intake – the addition of medicinal mushroom extracts such as cordyceps, turkey tail and lion’s mane can further bolster immunity!
