7 EASY AND HEALTHY SNACKS

By Jo Scrivner

If you’re on a diet, or just want to sustain a healthier lifestyle, giving up snacks might be one of your greatest challenges. What if I told you that you shouldn’t say goodbye to them for good? Even if you’re goal is to lose weight, carefully chosen, nutritious snacks could be a fundamental part of your diet. They can help you stay on track by reducing cravings between meals, while at the same time providing the necessary nutrients to your body to keep you energized throughout the day.

1. Fresh fruit

Healthy snacks don’t have to be overly complicated; some fruits can be filling enough to keep you going, while at the same time providing essential nutrients to your body, such as vitamins and minerals. Bananas, apples, grapes, oranges – easy to store and consume them on the go.

2. Popcorn

Unfortunately, popcorn has a bad reputation for being unhealthy. The truth is that the home-made version (without any butter, fat, or salt) is actually pretty healthy – after all, it’s just corn! You just need a pan, a lid, and the heat will do the rest.

3. Nuts

Nuts contain many valuable substances (such as Omega-3, vitamin E, and unsaturated fats), therefore their consumption is highly recommended all year round. I’m not talking about the salted, roasted, or sugary versions, but the natural raw nuts! They are a good source of essential fatty acids, protein, and fiber, and are also very nutritious.

4. Puffed rice bars

A gluten-free snack that can be found in many forms and flavors on the shelves of almost any supermarkets. A valid option for those who are on a special diet or are suffering from gluten-related disorders. Try to avoid the ones with added sugar, dyes, or artificial substances. Instead, aim for the traditional plain puffed rice, and eat it with some honey or dried fruits if you want some extra flavor!

5. Plain yogurt with berries

Plain yogurt with some blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries is my personal favorite nutrient-rich snack. It’s a great source of calcium and protein and can be a perfect substitute for a hearty, high-sugar dessert if you feel like you’re having a hard time resisting that slice of fruitcake in the cakeshop window.

6. Baby carrots or celery with hummus

I cannot stress enough how important daily fruit and vegetable consumption is! As for hummus, it’s gluten-free, packed with antioxidants, and has many great effects on your health, thanks to its high content of plant protein, vitamins, and minerals (potassium, iron, magnesium and vitamins A, C, and E, just to mention a few). It’s proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect and its high fiber content keeps your digestive system running smoothly.

7. Olives

Olives are an important source of antioxidants thanks to their high level of vitamins A, D, E, and beta-carotene. They also contain certain substances with natural calming qualities, which can be especially useful during stressful periods. Olives are one of the most important cornerstones of Mediterranean cuisine – they are like an elixir of life for them. They use it for almost every meal: either in the form of olives or olive oil.