Sometimes we just cannot resist the urge to snack, especially when cooped up at home! When it comes to snacking, most will reach out for sinful food like potato chips, chocolate bars and ice cream to satisfy ourselves. Since the start of the Circuit Breaker, we have observed that the shelves of potato chips are always half empty. How many of you are guilty of snacking unhealthily? Change the way you snack by going for healthier choices!
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1. Blueberries
One of the biggest plus points of blueberries is that they are loaded with antioxidants, which in turn results in better skin. They are essentially low in calories and high in nutrients, which is why they are considered a superfood.
Blueberries can also be incorporated into most diets, as they are suitable for those on a low-carb and ketogenic diets. You can also easily find this fruit in all supermarkets, so why not stock some up on your next grocery trip? There are many ways you can use it – top some on your yogurt, make a smoothie out of it or include it in your baking such as blueberry muffins.
2. Edamame
You may recognise edamame as the popular snack which is usually served as an appetizer in Japanese restaurants, for customers to snack on while waiting for their main dishes. These green pods of beans are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Preparation is really simple; you can boil, steam or microwave them for about 3-5 minutes, then season then with some salt before serving. Edamame should be eaten fresh as much as possible, so make sure you cook them on the same day or they can go bad and lose their nutrients. You can also cook a big amount at a time and store them in the freezer for up to a month using a ziplock bag.
3. Yogurt
The popular dairy product is good for your digestive system and bones as it is rich in probiotics and calcium. We recommend going for plain Greek yogurt rather than those with added ingredients such as sugar and artificial flavours. When choosing your yogurt at the supermarket, look out for the level of sugar or artificial sweetener it contains.
If plain yogurt is too boring for you, top it with some raw honey or your favourite fruits to add sweetness and granola for some crunch, or both!
4. Kale Chips
Kale is another superfood. Similar to blueberries, kale contains lots of antioxidants and is low in calories. It also has a high level of vitamins C and K among others, making it one of the most nutritious foods.
It is also extremely easy to make your own kale chips at home. Simply tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces, then sprinkle with olive oil and salt (play around with different seasonings for flavours; eg. Garlic powder, chilli powder) and bake it in the oven at low temperature. You can make a big batch and store them at room temperature in an air-tight container.
5. Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate is a much healthier choice when it comes to chocolate and actually offers a lot more benefits compared to your milk and white chocolate which contains a much higher amount of sugar. It helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and also enhances your mood, to name a few. Some people also prefer its deep, bittersweet taste over the milky ones.
If you are feeling indulgent, melt the dark chocolate over slowly over low heat and dip strawberries (or other fruits!) into it to make some pretty chocolate-covered strawberries.
6. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
We all love some crispy French fries anytime but they can be really high in sodium and calories. Switch to the wonderful alternative of baked sweet potato fries and it might change your life! Slice your sweet potato fries thinly to achieve the desired crispy texture more easily and season with a little salt after baking. This results in a delicious salty-sweet snack from the natural flavour of the sweet potato and the seasoning.
7. Air-popped Popcorn
Popcorn can be healthy or unhealthy, depending on what you used in making and how it is made. This healthiest version would be air-popped popcorn which does not involve oil and retains the nutrients of the corn kernels. It is high in fibre and low in fat and sugar, making it a healthy snack.
Refrain from adding unhealthy toppings such as caramel. Simply drizzle some melted butter over and enjoy this crunchy snack.
