Healthier Snacks Because Who Needs Guilt
If you know me then you know that I am a serial snacker. Seriously, sometimes I feel like there are days that I don’t have meals but a million snacks throughout the day 😂. Regardless, I like to eat well to feel well, so here you will find couple of my quick munchie go-to’s.
Frozen mango chunks
One of my favorites. You can buy mango chunks at pretty much every grocery story (Target has been the cheapest in my area), so there’s no worry about having to prep the fruit yourself. Take them out of the freezer and let them sit for maybe 10 minutes (or pop them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds max) to unthaw. Then eat, and enjoy! Mangoes are naturally very sweet, so they are like little chunks of sorbet.
Non-standard ‘potato’ chips
Sometimes you just need to have something with a bit of crunch. Standard potato chips are easy to turn to, and easy to obtain. But, they can have little nutritional value and can be high in fat, salt, low in fiber. Alternatives, such as Terra Chips, can be a better alternative as they have some more nutritional value and a higher fiber content. They have a few different kinds, but two of my favorites are the Terra Blues and the Terra Original. Now, just because they are a better alternative doesn’t mean they are a diet staple! I’m a firm believer that balance is everything, and some things are good in moderation. If you follow a healthy, balanced diet, having a snack now and again should not be a problem (always consult your doctor with any health questions or concerns).
If possible, it is always better to avoid processed food. You may wonder how, but there are plenty of recipes out there on how to make vegetable chips of your own! Popular ones are kale and sweet potato. It can be a fun adventure. Try a new one every week.
Smoothie
All those with sweet tooths — unite. In a couple minutes you can whip up a yummy concoction packed with nutrients, fiber and even protein, if you please. To get that thick, ice creamy consistency, I make sure to freeze all of my fruit ahead of time. But, this is not necessary.
As a general rule of thumb (and depending on my mood), I combine fruit (typically 2+), greek yogurt, a liquid base (such as milk — it can be almond, cashew, etc), and a ton of chia seeds (I’m a little chia seed crazy; find out why here). Don’t be afraid to experiment a little.
Seaweed sheets
You might think me a little crazy, but if you have not heard of this yet, hear me out. Dried seaweed is not only meant to wrap sushi; it can be a healthy and beneficial snack for you too. Seaweed is known for its stellar nutritional profile, and it can satisfy that umami craving. There are various brands popping up in grocery stores all over the US, but if you can’t seem to find some in yours, Amazon or Jet can be great resources. Fortunately, in one of my local grocery stores, there is a whole isle with Asian food, so I pick up packs of paper-sized sheets from there.
Edamame – roasted, or not
Ahh yes… edamame. I’d wager most of us only eat them when at a Japanese restaurant, snacking on them with miso soup before the sushi rolls out. However, this does not need to be the only setting that you enjoy them. Grab some at the grocery store, prepare per instructions, lightly salting if desired.
As there is more than one way to skin a cat, there is more than one way to eat edamame! Maybe it is a city thing, but I have been seeing various brands with dried versions popping up in stores all around. One of my favorite snacks is the spicy wasabi dry roasted edamame from Seapoint Farms. I often buy a pack and carry it with me in a gym bag, to work, or running errands in case I need a quick snack of protein.
Frozen grapes
Grapes are another perfect fruit to make into little treats because they are naturally very sweet. Just take a bunch and pop them into the freezer for a couple hours after washing them. This is also great to do if you have grapes on the verge of being too ripe or if you aren’t going to eat them in time. Pop them in the freezer now to splurge on them later! They are like little bites of popsicle.
Popcorn – make your own!
Sure, sure, you can buy some Skinny Pop or Boomchikapop, but why not get more resourceful and economical? Consider purchasing your own air-pop popcorn maker such as this on Amazon. The beauty of this is that you can ad as many, or as little, or whatever variation of toppings that you want! Try some adobe seasoning or even salt & pepper with a drizzle of olive oil. Plus, you know exactly what the ingredients are that you are eating (unlike some of those questionable ones that you read on the packaging 😉).
