When most people think of healthy eating, they often think of massively restrictive
diets, and worst of all no snacking, but this is a common misconception. In reality
healthy snacks can make up a great part of a healthy diet, not only satisfying your
hunger but also providing your body with even more nutrients. We’ve compiled a list
of the best healthy snacks you should be including in your diet, and most importantly
their nutritional benefits.
Nuts
Typically nuts are viewed as a salty bar snack, but this couldn’t be further from the
truth. If you avoid overly salted and artificially flavoured nuts, then you can not only
have a delicious snack, but also one with countless health benefits. Obviously there
are too many nuts to mention in one paragraph, so we’ll focus on our top picks.
Almonds are one of the best nuts to snack on, and their subtle sweet flavour means
they are great to eat straight out of the bag without any need for additional
flavourings. Not only are almonds delicious, but they also contain heaps of vital
nutrients. Almonds are rich in healthy fats, fibre, protein and vitamin E.
Similarly pistachios, and brazil nuts are a great source of protein and fibre, and should
definitely be a staple part of your weekly shop.
Dried fruits
Dried fruits are another great snack, particularly for when you’re on the move and
need a quick energy boost, and there are a lot of great options to choose from. In
particular, raisins make for an excellent healthy snack.
Raisins, like dried apricots, figs and prunes, are incredibly rich in antioxidants,
vitamins and minerals, while also providing an amazing source of energy. The
consumption of raisins has also been found to greatly improve digestion, due to their
incredibly high fibre content. Raisins are also a great option for anyone looking to
carefully manage their weight, as they are incredibly satiating, keeping you feeling
fuller for longer.
Dried mango is another amazing healthy snack, especially for those with a bit of a
sweet tooth. As mangoes have a natural sweetness, you can enjoy organic dried
mango without having to worry about added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and you’ll
find yourself replacing chocolate and ice cream in no time. Not only is dried mango a
delicious snack, but it is also incredibly high in vitamin A and C, while also containing
a wealth of antioxidants.
Seeds
Much like nuts, seeds are a great snack for when you’re craving something crunchy
on the go, and typically they are packed full of healthy fats, fibre and protein. Each
seed comes with their own flavour and health benefits, so it's important to examine
each of them individually if you’re looking to maximise the benefits.
Pumpkin seeds contain a wide range of antioxidants that make them a powerful tool
for maintaining a healthy heart, and good immune system. Pumpkin seeds are also
an amazing source of vitamin E, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin, and
strengthening your eyesight.
Sunflower seeds are another perfect snack to add to your shopping list, mainly due to
their abundance of fatty acids, in particular the fatty acid linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is
an omega 6 fatty acid that our bodies can’t produce naturally, and is vital for heart
and skin health.
Healthy snacks to make at home
It’s often easier to avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks if you’re looking for
something to eat at home rather than while you’re out and about, and more
importantly it allows you the opportunity to make your own healthy snacks! By
focusing on using organic (and if possible fresh) produce and avoiding recipes that
are too high in salt and sugar, you can really improve the quality of your snacks and
get far more nutrition than you would from chocolate or ice cream! Here are our picks
for some of the best healthy snacks you can easily make yourself at home:
● Banana bread is a great way to use up overly ripe bananas, and provided you
use pure maple syrup instead of sugar, it can be a great healthy alternative to a
store bought cake. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, which
serves to regulate the amount of fluid in your body while also keeping your
heartbeat healthy, and helping nerves to function. For a twist on classic
banana bread, we recommend this delicious spiced carrot version.
● Granola bars are obviously healthy, but they are also surprisingly easy to make
at home! As oats are the main ingredient in granola bars, they come with all of
the associated health benefits, most famously their long releasing energy that
will keep you from needing to snack again and again. These lemon and chia
granola bars are not only delicious, but also contain a wealth of benefits from
the chia seeds, one of the world's most popular superfoods. Chia seeds work
wonders for digestive and gut health, so when combined with oats they really
do form an incredibly healthy snack.
● Celery and hummus is maybe the most traditional healthy snack, but that
doesn’t mean it has to be boring. By making your own hummus you can not
only make something far nicer than you’d find in the shops, but also experiment with new flavours. This purple hummus is not only a visually
stunning dip, but it also brings a new depth of flavour with the help of
beetroot. Beetroot is a fantastic vegetable to include in your diet, particularly
for those looking to improve their blood pressure and heart health.
Don’t be afraid to experiment
These snacks and recipes are a great starting point for healthy snacking, but don’t be
afraid to experiment with exciting new options. As long as you’re avoiding ultra
processed foods and placing a renewed focus on mindful eating, you really can’t go
wrong. Hopefully these ideas can inspire you to change how you snack, and what you
look for in a dish, and if you’re lost for new ideas, we have plenty more recipes
available here to get you started.
