We’ve all been there. It’s 3pm and the munchies kick in. When you’re hungry and don’t have time to cook a meal from scratch, you often end up grabbing the most convenient thing in your pantry. It’s okay to have an indulgent snack occasionally, but there are many healthier snacks that can be prepared at home. You should eat foods that are wholesome and will help you stay energized during the day.
It is widely known that most convenience foods contain high levels of saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and lack nutritional value. You can control cravings and get essential nutrients by taking the time to assemble snacks with a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and good fats.
If you’re looking for something to help keep you going throughout the day, try one of these easy and healthy snacks. You can make energy balls, granola bars, sweet treats, dips and more with a little planning and meal prep. We can satisfy your craving for something sweet, salty, or both.
15 Healthy Snacks for Every Craving
1 Stuffed avocado
The study found that substituting refined carbs for fresh avocado significantly suppresses hunger and increases meal satisfaction. According to Stark, avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats and contain an array of vitamins including vitamins C, E and K. Garnish with crumbled feta, chopped cucumber, bell pepper, tomato and fresh herbs.
2 Dark chocolate and almonds
The Northern Arizona University conducted a study that showed that dark chocolate can improve your attention span. Stark suggests that the flavonoids and polyphenols found in cocoa help to prevent oxidative stress. ‘ Almonds are a great source of healthy selenium, zinc and magnesium. This is a power snack!’
3 Cucumbers and Peppers with Healthy Dips and Spreads
Cucumbers contain a variety of nutrients, with a focus on vitamin K for bone health. The vegetable is also mostly made of water, which can help to replenish hydration levels. Hummus has anti-inflammatory properties from the olive oil and is high in plant-based protein.
Dips and Spreads
Make room for creamy dips and spreads, they’re about to become your new favorites. They’re filled with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Additionally, they will make consuming fresh vegetables or crackers significantly more enjoyable.
The Best Hummus Recipe
This homemade hummus recipe is better than store-bought versions. This is a description of a dish that is creamy, fresh, and can be made in a short amount of time.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
This classic hummus recipe is taken up a notch with the addition of roasted red peppers. This ice cream is not only smooth and creamy, but it is also quite flavorful with a hint of smokiness.
Baba Ganoush
This dip has a smoky flavor that is hard to resist. This is because the eggplants are charred on a grill. It’s great for pairing with cucumber slices because it’s refreshing.
Tzatziki
This sauce, which is based on yogurt, is creamy and will surely make any summer snack more enjoyable. This recipe includes cooled cucumber bits, fresh dill, zesty lemon juice, and a lot of garlic flavor.
Mango Salsa
This recipe is simple to follow when mango season arrives. It’s bright, large, sweet, and has a little spice kick.
Best Ever Guacamole
A bowl of homemade guacamole is a great snack. This recipe only calls for a few fresh and simple ingredients, but it is guaranteed to taste better than anything you could buy at a store.
Chia Seed Jam
Chia pudding is not the only thing you can make with chia seeds. You can also turn them into an all-natural jam. This dish is healthy and flavorful, made with only fresh ingredients. You won’t feel guilty about eating it because it is so delicious.
Almond Butter
To make the perfect batch of almond butter, you’ll need to roast the almonds first. The resulting product is incredibly creamy, extremely nutty, and perfect for either dipping or spreading.
4 Pear and ricotta cheese
Pears are rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which are especially concentrated in the peel. These antioxidants help fight inflammation. Pair the following text with ricotta cheese. Ricotta cheese contains 14 grams of protein and 25% of your daily calcium needs in each 80 gram serving.
5 Mixed Nuts and Trail Mix Granola Bars
Eating at least 20g of nuts a day lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases, research from Imperial College London found. The study included all kinds of tree nuts – such as hazelnuts, walnuts, and even peanuts.
These nut and seed bars aredelicious and chewy. They are sweet and nutty, and are filled with clean ingredients. These bites are not only healthy, but also versatile and easy to make. You can change up the nuts and seeds to suit your taste, and they will only take a few minutes to prepare.
6 Greek Yogurt with Flaxseed
Stark points out that Greek yogurt is a rich source of calcium, which is essential for bone health, and also contains probiotics to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. He also notes that flaxseed is high in omega 3 and polyphenols, and is a good source of fibre for the digestive system. The American Physiological Society found that flaxseed improves metabolic health and protects against obesity.
7 Chia pudding with cinnamon
This is no doubt a Downshiftology favorite. Chia seeds magically turn into a delicious gel-like pudding. This snack is both refreshing and sweet due to the addition of fresh fruit.
Chia seeds are small but very powerful. They contain bone-building micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. They also contain satiating soluble fibre. Add cinnamon to your chia pudding for flavor and health benefits. Cinnamon has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
8 Tuna Rice Cakes or Tuna Meatballs
Gluten free or just not keen on toast? In a bowl, mix together tuna and Greek yogurt. Spread the mixture over a rice cake and top with lemon juice. both tuna and yogurt are beneficial to your health: tuna is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your body, while yogurt is packed with probiotics. Probiotic-rich foods help regulate hunger-suppressing hormones, says Ruani.
This recipe for tuna meatballs is a great way to sneak some extra protein into your diet without having to eat a lot of carbs. These meatballs are just as juicy, tender, and filling as any other, but they are lighter in flavor. Plus they taste great dipped in homemade tzatziki sauce!
9 Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Bites or Banana with Cottage Cheese
Chocolate, almond butter, and banana is an amazing combination. These bite-size morsels are similar to chocolate covered bananas and make the perfect frozen treat on a hot day. A possible alternative is to mix cottage cheese, a banana, and granola to create a pretend sundae.
Bananas are a great source of vitamin B6, which helps the body handle energy from carbohydrates and proteins. Cottage cheese is packed with Probiotic cultures which are good for gut health. Top with cacao nibs and a squeeze of honey.
9 Eggs
Eggs are full of nutrients, but they can be a little bland by themselves. Try spreading some pesto on a freshly boiled egg to add some flavor. An egg a day may help keep heart disease at bay, say researchers from Beijing University.
What makes eggs so great is that they can be either a full meal or just a quick snack. Any of these recipes would be a good choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy meal. This means that they are not only good for your health, but they can also help you lose weight. Not only are eggs full of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, but they can also help you lose weight. Here are some ideas.
Hard Boiled Eggs
So what do you think? Do you think this is a good and easy way to get your protein all in one bite? They taste delicious with a small amount of salt and are a good snack choice for people who are trying to eat fewer carbs.
Breakfast Egg Muffins
Making a large batch of these ahead of time will ensure you have a quick and easy meal all week long. These muffins will keep you full, are low in carbohydrates, and are the perfect healthy snack to take on the go.
Classic Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs make a great appetizer or a healthy snack. You can make them with just a few ingredients.
Avocado Deviled Eggs
The above recipe for deviled eggs is given a fun and healthy twist with these variations. The avocado filling is made with fresh and zesty ingredients like red onion and lime juice.
10 Popcorn
There is no better snack than fresh popcorn that is both easy to make and low in carbohydrates. The American Chemical Society found that popcorn contains more antioxidant polyphenols than fruits and vegetables, gram for gram. This is because it contains very little water, fresh produce might contain up to 90 per cent. The benefits of air-popping your popcorn and lightly seasoning it are that you skip the butter.
11 Ultimate Seed Crackers, cheese and Marmite
These crackers, made from a blend of healthy seeds, will definitely satisfy your crunchy cravings. You can improve your gut health by eating calcium-rich cheese with high-fibre crackers. Adding a teaspoon of Marmite to your diet will give you a large amount of B vitamins, including 50% of your daily thiamin needs, 25% of your niacin, riboflavin and B12 intake, around 20% of your folate requirements, and 15% of your daily iron.
12 Roasted Chickpeas and Falafel Flatbread
If you have a some hummus or tzatziki, flatbread is a great option. This dish is vegan and gluten-free, made with a mix of fresh herbs, vegetables, and chickpeas.
Chickpeas are a great source of potassium, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and selenium. They taste delicious roasted with spices like smoked paprika, garlic, and chilli flakes. Not a fan? An analysis of data from multiple studies concluded that eating one serving a day of beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils can help increase feelings of fullness.
13 Smoothies
Here’s a smoothie recipe that does the trick! Do you want a smoothie recipe that will allow you to sneak in some fruits and vegetables? Smoothies are your answer. If you have protein powder or other healthy foods, add them to the mix. It’ll give you the extra boost you need!
Best Green Smoothie
The green smoothie of your dreams! The recipe contains healthy ingredients like apples, spinach, bananas and avocados. It’ll fuel your mornings or provide a midday pick-me-up.
Blueberry Smoothie
Not only is this one deliciously sweet and creamy. But, it’s loaded with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. I would say that this smoothie is the best of both worlds.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This classic combination of flavors is still a favorite among many people. This dish is healthy and only has four simple ingredients. It is also fresh and creamy. Plus, I guarantee your kids will love it.
Peach Breakfast Smoothie
Come peach season, this smoothie is a must. A delicious breakfast smoothie that will fill you up, made with fresh peaches, yogurt, chia seeds, and a few spices.
Spiced Persimmon Smoothie
This persimmon dish is the perfect way to celebrate the fall season. This drink is the perfect way to stay warm and boost your immune system with the help of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Almond Orange Smoothie
If oranges are your jam, this one’s for you. Citrus and warm vanilla flavors go great together, as do citrus and banana flavors. Resulting in a delicious, creamsicle like smoothie.
14 Raw vegetable crudités
Eating raw vegetables is a simple way to increase your five-a-day towards 10-a-day. Cut celery, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower into small pieces to eat throughout the day. To add more flavor, grate lime zest over the veggies, sprinkle with chili flakes and flaked salt, and squeeze the juice of a lime over the top.
You can also try some raw broccoli and tzatziki. To make tzatziki at home, simply mix together cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic, and mint, and serve with chopped raw broccoli. It contains high levels of an antioxidant called sulforaphane, which neutralises toxins, dampens inflammation, and may have anti-cancer effects. Cooked broccoli contains less sulforaphane than raw broccoli.
15 Mozzarella and tomatoes
You can enjoy this delicious Italian combination any time of day. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which may protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer. Mozzarella is packed with protein, calcium and vitamin B12.
If you’re looking for some healthier snack options that are still delicious, check out these 15 recipes. A variety of rich, creamy, sweet, nutty, or crispy and salty options – basically anything you could want. If you’re short on time, you can prepare these dishes in advance or make them in less than 10 minutes.
Leave a Reply