Finding snacks which aren’t bland or boring while trying to keep your healthy goals on track can be challenging.
Thankfully, there are many healthy ingredients readily available which means can make your favourite snacks with better ingredients and maybe even improve the original.
Here are some nourishing real food snacks which are tasty that you can enjoy with confidence.
Swap: Milk Chocolate For: Dark chocolate
Most popular chocolates don’t actually contain real cocoa. By switching to chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 60% or above you can indulge in the good stuff and benefit from the health promoting benefits that chocolate provides.
Dark chocolate contains high levels of antioxidants and flavonoids which have been linked with a variety of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart attacks.
Swap: Crisps For: Kale crisps
Kale is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants and makes a great snack. Compared to the potato version, kale crisps have less fat and is lower on the glycemic index, which means your blood sugar will stay in check.
By lightly toasting kale leaves in the oven, with a drizzling of olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt, you’ll have a delicious tasting crispy snack.
Swap: Ice cream For: Frozen banana
Most of us could happily polish off a tub of ice-cream without a second thought. As tempting as this is, you could easily be adding over 500 calories including unwanted fat and sugar. This easy alternative is the perfect treat at any time of day.
Peel and chop a banana into chunks, and freeze them. Then simply whizz them up in your blender and voila. You have a sweet creamy ice-cream. For an extra nutritious kick, add protein powder, cacao powder, matcha green tea powder or top with frozen berries and toasted seeds.
Swap: Ice Lollies For: Frozen grapes
Another cool summer alternative if you’re craving a sweet delicious treat are frozen grapes. Grapes have a creamy inner texture when frozen and are a refreshing option at any time of day.
Swap: Pizza base For: Cauliflower pizza base
Cauliflower pizza base has gained a huge popularity among people who are watching their carb intake. It’s a low-carb, gluten-free alternative to the traditional wheat filled crust.
Using grated cauliflower, you can make a crispy base which tastes pretty good and is packed full of nutrients. Best of all it won’t leave you feeling sluggish afterwards.
Simply throw in a head of cauliflower without the stalk into a food processor or grate it, plus 25g low-fat mozzarella and 2 eggs. Press the blitzed mixture onto a lightly greased baking tray and bake until crisp. Then top with your favourite toppings and enjoy.
Swap: Pork Scratchings For: Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted and seasoned to create a delicious, crunchy snack. 100g of pumpkin seeds is packed with 19g of protein and immune-boosting nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
Swap: Chocolate muffin For: Protein mug cake
You can still have your cake and eat it. By replacing a shop bought muffin for a DIY microwave mugcake and saving over half the calories in fat and sugar.
In a large mug, stir together one scoop of chocolate protein powder, one egg, a splash of milk or milk substitute, and a pinch of baking powder. Microwave for one minute, until slightly soft in the middle. For extra indulgence you can top it with melted dark chocolate.
Swap: Sweets For: Dried Apricots
These golden jewels are a low-sugar fruit and provide the same chewy texture as gummy sweets. Compared to pick-n-mix, apricots will spike your blood sugar far less whilst providing beneficial nutrients and fibre.
