5 Better-for-You and Fun Snack Ideas
In the age of convenience, unhealthy snacks laden with sugar, sodium, problematic fats and carbohydrates are everywhere. What’s worse is that a lot of them are tasty, making it hard to turn them down when we are hungry. But the good news is that it is also easy to craft delicious and fun snacks that are “better-for-you” and will contribute to your well-being. Continue reading for 5 tasty ideas you can try the next time you are snack-ish!
Mixed Nuts
Nuts are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, and they can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or dressed up in a number of ways to suit your mood and flavor preferences. Try adding a small amount of brown sugar and cinnamon, or if you are in the mood for something savory, some sea salt and cayenne pepper or curry powder. Nuts also make a great topping for many foods like oatmeal, salads, and yogurt. There are so many varieties of nuts available, so it is easy to buy them in bulk and create your own unique blend including the types you like best. As a bonus, nuts are easy to pre-package in snack bags and take with you for an instant boost of energy while on-the-go.
Apple Slices With Peanut Butter
Okay... you just read about nuts, so this may seem like kind of a cop-out, but the real star here is the apple. Although they are pretty high in sugars and carbs, the average apple has 4 grams of fiber, a nutrient that helps your body get the most out of sugars and carbohydrates and therefore gives apples their notoriously low glycemic index score. Most fruits share this fiber benefit, so if apples are not your thing, you can easily substitute them for another fruit that you like with peanut butter.
Dark Chocolate
Here is another snack that is convenient to take on-the-go and is loaded with benefits. Dark chocolate is rich in cacao, which contains flavanols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research suggests it is good for both your heart and brain, and contains relatively low sugar and much more flavor when compared to milk chocolate. It’s readily available just about anywhere you might shop, and there are so many different types that you are bound to find a type of dark chocolate you love (and satisfy your sweet tooth)!
Vegetables and Hummus
Hummus is an extremely popular dip for, well, just about anything you can dip, but while you’re looking for a better-for-you snack, vegetables such as sliced peppers, carrots, celery and cucumber are all great options. Hummus is packed with plant proteins and also contains important vitamins and minerals like manganese, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, B6, potassium and more! Studies suggest that hummus promotes digestive health and also reduces inflammation and it’s easy to obtain in many different flavors just like the other snack items in this list.
Chia Pudding
This snack is super easy to make and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and plant-based protein. To make plain chia pudding, combine a tablespoon of chia seeds with a third of a cup of dairy or non-dairy milk, leave to stand for 10 minutes, and you are done. Many snackers like to add a small amount of vanilla extract, honey, and even cocoa powder for a delicious, better-for-you snack. You can also add things like berries and other fruits, shredded coconut, and many other toppings you like. Chia pudding is also a great option for dessert.
Snack On Popadelics
The foods mentioned above are all better-for-you and can be spruced up by the numerous ways you can prepare them. But the next time you’re trippin’ up on what to snack on, consider grabbing a bag of Popadelics Crunchy Mushroom Chips and enjoy the benefits of mushrooms. Popadelics are a great option to add to your better-for-you snack rotation and are a good source of protein and fiber. Plus, they’re vegan, so you can share them with anyone. They come in bold, delicious flavors like Trippin’ Truffle Parm, Twisted Thai Chili, and Rad Rosemary + Salt to appease any palette. Shop the whole collection at popadelics.com!
