As a health conscious person, I know how difficult it can be to find healthy and easy snacks that actually taste good.
I have spent years experimenting with different snack ideas trying to find things that would both be healthy and delicious. Unfortunately, many healthy snacks out there take a considerable amount of time to prepare. And for those who live a busy lifestyle, time is a huge obstacle. That is why I thought I would share my top 7 go-to healthy snacks for Thrive Magazine.
Coconut Chips
Coconut chips is without a doubt one of my favorites. Not only are they delicious & easy, they satisfy me when I am craving a crunchy snack. Plus, they’re really healthy. Coconuts have been given a bad rap because they contain a lot of saturated fat. Some have even claimed that they are not good for you because of their high fat content. But that’s not exactly the truth.
Our body needs some fat to absorb vitamins & minerals, for energy, to preserve your nerves, and to build healthy cells. For some reason, saturated fat has been attacked by negative publicity for the past 60 years. But in reality, there is no evidence that suggests naturally occurring saturated fats any harmful effects.
Notice how I said “naturally occurring.” Man-made fats, called trans fats or hydrogenated oils, are the true unhealthy saturated fats. Trans fats like hydrogenated vegetable oil or margarine are what you should be avoiding.
The point is, coconut chips are a truly healthy snack that can provide you with sustained energy, a full stomach, and a happy body thanks to its healthy fats. You should be able to find coconut chips at most natural food stores.
Goji Berry Trail Mix
Trail mixes are another one of my top favorite snacks partly because you can do almost anything with them. Just take a dried fruit of your choice, 2-3 types of nuts, 1 type of seed and you’re golden. You can even add some cacao nibs for a twist!
But just in case you want some inspiration, here is a delicious goji berry trail mix you can try to make on your own. Nuts, seeds, and berries can all provide some pretty awesome health benefits. But it’s important to practice moderation with them. Dried fruit can contain quite a bit of sugar and you can easily go overboard with nuts.
In other words, just snack responsibly. I wouldn’t suggest sitting down with the whole container in front of you. Instead, limit your snacking to a big handful.
Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are another great savory snack option that will keep your body radiating with wellness. What makes them even better is that you can spice them however you want. The possibilities are endless.
You could even try making curried chickpeas with turmeric to fight off inflammation. Roasted chickpeas are a good source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Give it a try with this spicy oven-roasted chickpeas recipe, or experiment and make your own.
Garlic & Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Craving chips? Look no further. These baked zucchini chips are a delicious way to satisfy your chip cravings without feeding your body unhealthy trans fats that are found in potato chips.
My suggestion would be to make a big batch of these on a Sunday so you will have them ready to go for your work week lunches. You can find the zucchini chips recipe here.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a superbly healthy snack option that take little-to-no effort on your part.
Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium (which many people are deficient in), zinc, and omega-3s. They are also anti-inflammatory and can even help you get better sleep at night.
You can easily find pumpkin seeds in the store to roast on your own or you can just buy them already roasted. I would recommended, however, that you buy organic pumpkin seeds as they won’t contain pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
Hummus Dippers
There are so many different types of hummus that you can buy or make, there is bound to be one that appeals to your palate. Hummus dippers are simple really. You take a mason jar, fill it ¼ of the way with hummus, and throw your favorite organic vegetables in there. It’s a great portable healthy snack that you can make ahead of time.
Depending on what you use to make it, hummus can also pack quite the health punch:
· It provides your body with vitamins A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B-6
· It contains minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium.
· Hummus also contains protein and fiber which will help you feel full longer—which is a huge plus!
· You will also get the benefits of the vegetables you choose to eat with it.
Almond Butter Banana Dipper
Peanut butter and bananas used to be one of my favorite snacks. That is until I learned that most peanuts are contaminated with a poison called aflatoxin which can cause cancer or damage the liver.
So the alternative is almond butter, which is equally as delicious in my opinion.
This snack is as simple as it gets: you just bring in a banana and a jar of almond butter to work and you’re good to go. Slice up your banana (the more brown spots the better), and top each slice off with a small dollop of almond butter.
Thanks to Cameron Hooper from www.naturalife.org
