For those of you prioritizing your health and opting for balanced, nutritious meals, there is some great news! While there’s an abundance of store-bought healthy snacks you can turn to when you are starved yet feeling particularly lazy, you can also prepare a fresh DIY snack in no time!
Let’s be honest, when hunger and low blood sugar creep in, most of us will probably eat anything we can get our hands on, so having some go-to snacks is the safest option.
When it comes to store-bought versus DIY, there is one more important thing to note: many of the former have hidden sugars and/or excessive amounts of salt, oils, and artificial ingredients.
You need to turn the products and get to know the ingredients to ensure the product is healthy.
So, let’s get back to fun low-calorie snacks you can make on your own and a couple of store-bought alternatives that are good for your body!
No-bake date & oat energy balls
These delicious energy balls can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. They are packed with healthy fats and will provide your body with a boost of carbs.
The recipe is as easy as it can be: oats, nuts, dates, and seeds in a blender. When you get a paste, season it with a bit of salt, and roll the paste into balls.
Frozen fruity yogurt snacks
These tasty snacks are family-friendly, and your children are sure to munch on them too! Get yogurt of your choice, a handful of fresh raspberries, and a handful of fresh blueberries.
Use a spoon to dollop some yogurt into the bottom of your cupcake cases or silicone muffin cups, then pop a few pieces of fruit into each cup and press them down into the yogurt.
Place the cups on the baking tray, and put it into the freezer. It will take a couple of hours for these mouth-watering bites to freeze.
Healthy chocolate alternatives
And if those days when you have a strong craving for all things chocolate hit you hard, don’t worry! There are some better-for-you alternatives so you can indulge yourself while still keeping your health in check.
To enjoy the full taste of fine quality chocolate while reaping the benefits of high levels of antioxidants they contain, make sure to choose top-quality chocolate confections.
And you can find them mixed with real gourmet ingredients like freeze-dried raspberries, hazelnut pralines, and rice crispies, creating amazing flavor combinations!
Hummus & veggies combo
All you need is hummus, carrots, peppers, and celery, and you are on your way to shrink your waistline! Just chop up these fiber-rich veggies, dip them into the protein-filled hummus, and you’re good to go.
Roasted chickpeas
Instead of eating chips or crackers, try this tasty, protein-rich snack instead! It’s crispy, crunchy, and covered with yummy seasoning.
You’ll need 3 cups of cooked chickpeas, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder.
Preheat your oven to 375 F. Rinse and drain chickpeas. Spread them on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a bowl.
After you’ve tossed the chickpeas with the oil and seasoning, return to the oven and bake for 5-10 more minutes.
Baked apple chips
Low-calorie and heart-friendly, these healthy chips are full of fiber, potassium, and carbs. Start with preheating your oven to 200 F and slicing the apples as thin as possible.
Then lay the slices on parchment paper and sprinkle the mix of cinnamon and sugar onto them. Bake for 40-50 minutes, flip the apple pieces, add the cinnamon to the other side, and bake for another 40-50 minutes.
The apple chips can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Gr8nola
Not all granola is created equal. Lots of the store-bought ones contain excessive sugar or artificial sweeteners. Not Gr8nola!
This is a healthier alternative, as it uses coconut oil, coconut sugar, and superfoods like matcha, turmeric, and chia to fuel your body with extra energy and antioxidants.
And as a plus, this brand of granola is free of dairy, refined sugar, and soy! Great, right?
Snacking during the day doesn’t have to be bad for you. There are healthy alternatives that will keep your energy levels up throughout the day, and still give your taste buds enjoyable flavors and textures.
These fun and healthy snacks will help you satisfy your cravings without expanding your waistline or consuming questionable, artificial ingredients.
