Snacks get a bad rap, but sometimes, you need something to hold you over between meals. Fortunately, snack time doesn’t need to set you back from your goals. You have plenty of healthy options, many of which taste even better than the classic snacks we’ve come to enjoy. These are some healthy options I recommend trying next time you’re ready to reach for one of your favorite snacks:
Milkshakes may feel like a nice treat to help you cool off in the summer, but they’re full of empty calories, mostly from sugar. Homemade smoothies can give you that same cooling sensation and a little of the sweetness you’re craving. Smoothies can also be a powerhouse of nutrients, especially when you make them with ingredients like spinach (which hides really well!) and almond butter. You can even add protein powder for an extra boost of protein.
Rather than buying ice cream, go with a healthy alternative you can easily make at home. For a creamy dessert option, mix diced fruit into yogurt, and freeze it for at least a couple of hours. Craving chocolate? Dip a banana in melted 80% dark chocolate, and freeze it! Frozen fruit and yogurt pack nutrients into your snack, so you’ll get that same sweet taste without consuming empty calories.
Carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes can all be made into baked “fries,” and each of them have nutritional value far beyond that of a regular potato. Simply chop, season and cook the fries in the oven. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a more nutritious alternative to one of the most notorious snacks.
Candy is so easy to eat, but when you eat it, you might as well be eating a bowl of sugar. While dried fruit may not be the healthiest snack in general, it’s a great alternative to candy. Drying many fruits naturally makes them sweeter, so you can opt for a sugar free version without missing out on the sweetness you enjoyed in candy. Fruits are filled with nutrients, but they also have some natural sugar, so you’ll want to be sure not to overdo it.
Generally, when making healthy snack swaps, you’re better off going with a more natural product, rather than one that’s pre-packaged. However, rice cakes have recently taken the snack world by storm as a healthier alternative to crackers. They’re light and crispy, and they’re low in calories and fat. Top them with anything from almond butter to hummus to add more nutritional value.
Eating snacks can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you opt for healthier alternatives. Try some of the alternatives above next time you’re ready to grab an old favorite. Opting for healthier options will make you feel better in the long run, and you may even find you like them better!
