When most people think of healthy eating, they often think of massively restrictive diets, and worst of all no snacking, but this is a common misconception. In reality healthy snacks can make up a great part of a healthy diet, not only satisfying your hunger but also providing your body with even more nutrients. We’ve compiled a list of the best healthy snacks you should be including in your diet, and most importantly their nutritional benefits. Nuts Typically nuts are viewed as a salty bar snack, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you avoid overly salted and artificially flavoured nuts, then you can not only have a delicious snack, but also one with countless health benefits. Obviously there are too many nuts to mention in one paragraph, so we’ll focus on our top picks. Almonds are one of the best nuts to snack on, and their subtle sweet flavour means they are great to eat straight out of the bag without any need for additional flavourings. Not only are almonds delicious, but they also contain heaps of vital nutrients. Almonds are rich in healthy fats, fibre, protein and vitamin E. Similarly pistachios, and brazil nuts are a great source of protein and fibre, and should definitely be a staple part of your weekly shop. Dried fruits Dried fruits are another great snack, particularly for when you’re on the move and need a quick energy boost, and there are a lot of great options to choose from. In particular, raisins make for an excellent healthy snack. Raisins, like dried apricots, figs and prunes, are incredibly rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, while also providing an amazing source of energy. The consumption of raisins has also been found to greatly improve digestion, due to their incredibly high fibre content. Raisins are also a great option for anyone looking to carefully manage their weight, as they are incredibly satiating, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Dried mango is another amazing healthy snack, especially for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. As mangoes have a natural sweetness, you can enjoy organic dried mango without having to worry about added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and you’ll find yourself replacing chocolate and ice cream in no time. Not only is dried mango a delicious snack, but it is also incredibly high in vitamin A and C, while also containing a wealth of antioxidants. SeedsMuch like nuts, seeds are a great snack for when you’re craving something crunchy on the go, and typically they are packed full of healthy fats, fibre and protein. Each seed comes with their own flavour and health benefits, so it's important to examine each of them individually if you’re looking to maximise the benefits. Pumpkin seeds contain a wide range of antioxidants that make them a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy heart, and good immune system. Pumpkin seeds are also an amazing source of vitamin E, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin, and strengthening your eyesight. Sunflower seeds are another perfect snack to add to your shopping list, mainly due to their abundance of fatty acids, in particular the fatty acid linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an omega 6 fatty acid that our bodies can’t produce naturally, and is vital for heart and skin health. Healthy snacks to make at homeIt’s often easier to avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks if you’re looking for something to eat at home rather than while you’re out and about, and more importantly it allows you the opportunity to make your own healthy snacks! By focusing on using organic (and if possible fresh) produce and avoiding recipes that are too high in salt and sugar, you can really improve the quality of your snacks and get far more nutrition than you would from chocolate or ice cream! Here are our picks for some of the best healthy snacks you can easily make yourself at home: ● Banana bread is a great way to use up overly ripe bananas, and provided you use pure maple syrup instead of sugar, it can be a great healthy alternative to a store bought cake. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, which serves to regulate the amount of fluid in your body while also keeping your heartbeat healthy, and helping nerves to function. For a twist on classic banana bread, we recommend this delicious spiced carrot version. ● Granola bars are obviously healthy, but they are also surprisingly easy to make at home! As oats are the main ingredient in granola bars, they come with all of the associated health benefits, most famously their long releasing energy that will keep you from needing to snack again and again. These lemon and chia granola bars are not only delicious, but also contain a wealth of benefits from the chia seeds, one of the world's most popular superfoods. Chia seeds work wonders for digestive and gut health, so when combined with oats they really do form an incredibly healthy snack. ● Celery and hummus is maybe the most traditional healthy snack, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. By making your own hummus you can not only make something far nicer than you’d find in the shops, but also experiment with new flavours. This purple hummus is not only a visually stunning dip, but it also brings a new depth of flavour with the help of beetroot. Beetroot is a fantastic vegetable to include in your diet, particularly for those looking to improve their blood pressure and heart health. Don’t be afraid to experimentThese snacks and recipes are a great starting point for healthy snacking, but don’t be afraid to experiment with exciting new options. As long as you’re avoiding ultra processed foods and placing a renewed focus on mindful eating, you really can’t go wrong. Hopefully these ideas can inspire you to change how you snack, and what you look for in a dish, and if you’re lost for new ideas, we have plenty more recipes available here to get you started.
