Everyone loves those cheesy pizzas, crispy peri peri potato fries, chilled sweet ice-creams, and oh so good yet super sweetened cold drinks. But we all know what they all do to our bodies in the long run. So we try to move towards healthier eating and leave our beloved pizzas, fries and other snacks.
What happens next? We miss the junk badly and crave for the spicy and tangy taste. And here we are again eating thin crust pizza so we are a little closer to being healthy while snacking.
But did you know we can go healthy with our snacking and not miss the taste that junk food gives us? Let us see some healthier snacking options
Makhana/ lotus seeds
Also known as fox nuts, makhana are rich in nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. It’s good with antioxidant properties which reduces free harmful free radicals and prevent oxidative stress.
Roast them with little oil and add the spicy tastes you want to devour on.
A fistful of dry fruits and seeds
Dry fruits are rich in vitamins and proteins and good immunity boosters. Also, dry fruits help control your cholesterol and prevent diabetes.
Seeds like sunflower seeds, melon or pumpkin seeds when roasted in salt can make a crunchy add on to the dry fruit bowl.
Toss the dry fruits and nuts in melted chocolate and freeze them. Add your little love to it and it becomes an amazing healthy go to snack!
Apple with almond butter
This combination can be your best post workout snack. High in protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamin E and magnesium, it will benefit you along with treating your palate with sweet and savory flavor.
Peanut butter in place of almond butter goes with apples as well.
Nachni/ Kale chips
Chips are close to our hearts and we love that crunchy crispy feeling in our mouths. Who wouldn’t say no when offered some chips, right?
Just opt for other healthy chips like nachni (finger millet) chips. Nachni is a natural anti-depressant. And helps fight conditions like insomnian and anxiety.
Another healthy member of chips family is baked kale chips; kale is good source of vitamin C and K and high in fiber. Don’t worry, they taste as good as the other ones.
Puffed rice
In India puffed rice is found almost in all homes. Just toss them in a pan with a pinch of turmeric. Add your favorite crunch, peanuts, some salt and you are good to go.
These lighter than air form of rice are high in fiber, protein and complex carbs. A street food from Mumbai called bhel puri is made of puffed rice, tomatoes, mint chutney, potato and all the goodness.
Protein bars
Pick protein bars instead of candy bars; they are equally delicious and doubly healthy. Many protein bars are available with number of flavours and types.
It’s a good way to stay away from unhealthy snacking and beneficial for health. Many nutritional and fitness brands have provided us with these nutty, protein rich snack bar.
Pop those corns!
Popcorns are most fun to make as they make fun sound while popping and smell heavenly.
Add your favourite flavour with corn seeds like butter, caramel, a little bit of ghee or grate cheese when they are ready.
Corn is a good source of fibre and have antioxidant properties that link to better digestion and blood circulation in your body.
Corn masala
Another corn snack is corn masala, boil some raw corns in a pan for 10-12 minutes. Add salth while they aree boiling.
Take them in a large bowl and add your favourite spices like pepper or chilli powder, you can just add any of your favourite flavours and bingo! Its ready to eat.
You see healthy snacking is not boring, you can still devour over tangy and spicy flavours.
The Swap!
Certain switches from unhealthy to healthy snack items will bring huge differences in your daily life.
- Place dark chocolate instead of other chocolate bars.
- Switch from cold drinks to flavored water like lemon and mint or ginger or berries with your meals.
- Swap that super sugary ice-cream with frozen yogurt, good test and even better health!
- Sweet potato instead of potatoes is a super switch.
Conclusion
Certain simple yet effective changes in your snacking habits can show huge differences in your daily life style. And you don’t have to worry about the taste, as healthy can also be tasty. Many healthy snacks can be found at home, all you have to do it add your flavours and its good to go
