Healthy snacks can be quick and simple to prepare, helping prevent overeating during meal times and maintaining adequate nutrition levels. They may also provide energy boosts as well.
Many companies promote their products as healthy alternatives through moral discourses that use mission-rhetoric, boasting lofty ambitions. Such products include hummus, cheese and crackers with fruit.
Fruits
Fruits provide both sweet tooth satisfaction and essential nutrition, such as vitamins A and C, potassium, folate and fiber. Furthermore, fruits can help regulate your blood sugar and reduce overeating by helping manage blood pressure levels and keeping cravings under control.
Whole fruits take longer to digest, releasing fructose slowly into your system so your liver can process it more effectively – helping avoid some of the negative health consequences associated with high-sugar foods like soda and fruit juice.
Try blending together kale, spinach and low-fat milk or non-dairy alternatives with fresh berries for an nutrient-packed green smoothie snack option. Guacamole can also provide an easy, tasty treat!
Vegetables
Vegetables are low-cal and rich in essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, making them a key part of a healthy diet and potentially lowering risks associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.
Be sure to keep healthy options readily accessible – whole grain crackers with peanut butter or yogurt with fruit are satisfying snacks, while keeping unhealthy options out of sight may reduce overeating.
Be patient: for some children, repeated exposure to new foods will help them become enjoyable. Consider mixing some from each food group into snacks like tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar or carrots with hummus as ways of breaking them in gradually.
Nuts
Nuts are tasty packages packed with protein, unsaturated fats and essential vitamins and minerals – including B vitamins, Vitamin E and Zinc as well as omega-3 fatty acids (though not as much as fish oils).
Pistachios and other nuts provide an abundant source of plant defense chemicals known as polyphenols that have been linked with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease.
Studies demonstrate that regular nut consumption helps overweight and obese individuals lower their cholesterol levels while also contributing to adequate nutritional intake. A handful (30g) of peanuts, peanut butter or mixed nuts is an ideal choice.
Seeds
Seeds are packed with fiber, heart-healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals that provide essential nutrition. Easy to add into salads, oatmeal or yogurt for a quick nutritious snack!
Pumpkin seeds have an irresistibly crunchy, subtle sweet taste, making them an excellent source of plant-based protein. Furthermore, they contain plenty of magnesium and provide over one third of daily recommended copper intake.
Use a reusable container to enjoy a satisfying combination of unsalted nuts, dried fruit and seeds in a crunchy snack on-the-go that packs in essential nutrients like phosphorous, manganese and iron – it tastes delicious roasted or sprinkled onto muesli, porridge or salads!
Dairy
While dairy foods may seem indulgent, they provide essential health-promoting nutrients such as calcium, protein and iodine. High-protein options like yogurt and cheese make healthy snack options; or try an oatmeal bar containing nuts, seeds, dried fruit and honey for a delectable treat that doesn’t contain dairy!
Dairy snacks come in convenient single-serve sizes that make them the ideal on-the-go food, or family packs to reduce packaging waste and portion out healthier snacks for snacks on-the-go. Most people can benefit from adding more dairy into their diet – aim for at least 0-2 cups daily including low-fat milk and yogurt, 2% or whole milk, cottage cheese or mozzarella sticks as part of a balanced diet.
Meat
There has never been a better time to be a carnivore! Lean meats provide essential protein-rich fuel that supports muscle development, manages hunger and keeps energy levels topped up.
Healthy meat snacks should be low in sugar, nitrite- and nitrate-free, made with all natural ingredients, and grass-fed options (if available) may provide additional health benefits such as anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
Jo Cooks offers these delicious jerky sticks made with just five ingredients and a hint of spice, for a satisfying snack that will satisfy until your next meal. Keto- and carnivore-friendly! Plus it’s gluten-free. Enjoy it alongside honey drizzles or some veggies to complete this satisfying combo.
