When you want a snack in that 11am time before lunch, or during the 3pm workday slump, it can be easy to just reach for a candy bar or a bag of chips, but of course there are much healthier options that will keep you full for longer. Sure, you might not want to just dig into a bag of carrots, but here are some delicious yet healthy snacks that you can prepare at home.
Granola and berries
If you find yourself skipping breakfast, this is a fantastic option for something you can make in a batch and then take with you to snack on the next morning. Simply get some granola (you can use store-bought or make your own with pecans, peanuts, oats, or sunflower seeds) and mix in a mason jar with fruit. Use dried berries if you are making batches, or opt for fresh if you’re going to be eating it the next day. Then, just before you head off, add a layer of natural yogurt and a spoonful of honey on top too – delicious!
Fruit burst muffins
Yep, muffins can be healthy if you use the right ingredients, and they taste like a treat! The recipe uses eggs, butter, milk, baking powder and plain flour for the main muffin base, but the taste comes from the blueberries, cranberries, raisins, apricots, orange zest, and cinnamon. So good you won’t be able just to have one!
Hummus and dipping veg
This is super easy but an excellent grazing dish. You can make hummus using chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, a splash of water and some cumin, or just pick some up from the grocery store. Then you can get creative with what you put in your dipping tray – from toasted pitta slices to bell peppers and cucumber to carrots.
Kale chips
Kale chips are super easy to make and a fantastic way of getting your veggies in! Simply coat with a non-stick cooking spray and bake in the oven. Add a sprinkle of salt, lemon juice or vinegar for a basic taste, or season with garlic, chili, paprika and onion powder for the best mix.
Bagel, ricotta, and strawberries
The perfect mid-morning snack, a toasted whole-grain bagel, topped with fresh ricotta and some sliced strawberries with a drizzle of honey or agave nectar. You’ll feel as though you are indulging in a naughty snack, but actually, it’s a healthy option, with fruit, natural sugars and energy. Perfect!
Frozen fruity yogurt cups
Perfect for cooling down on a hot day or enjoying as a dessert, these yogurt bites are so easy to make. Pop some natural yogurt in a silicone muffin tray and add a few berries to each one before putting them in the freezer to set. You could also do this on greaseproof paper on a baking tray and create yogurt bark instead. Add some nuts and seeds for a different taste, too.
Energy balls
These no-bake energy balls are super easy to make, using dates and nuts, vanilla extract blitzed up and rolled into small balls and covered in shredded coconut. These are fantastic little snacks to take out with you, as they really fill you up and satisfy your hunger cravings.
Once you get into the habit of choosing healthy snacks, you’ll realize just how tasty they can be, and you’ll reach for them time and time again.
