This week I shared a recipe for homemade popcorn and so I wanted to share some more healthy snack ideas! Read for more vegan friendly snacks and their benefits :)
Popcorn
Popcorn is a great snack as it's a whole grain food that's very high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and polyphenol antioxidants. It's high volume and fiber makes you feel more full; one study showed 15 calories of popcorn were as filling as 150 calories of potato chips!
Note that prepackaged popcorn and certain toppings and preparations methods can be detrimental including unhealthy fats, artificial flavors, high amounts of sugar and salt for example. It's best to make popcorn yourself so you know exactly what's going in. Plus it's fun and makes your home smell delicious!
Check out my recipe for homemade masala popcorn.
Mixed Nuts
Nuts are a go-to snack for me and I have covered a little bit about nuts on this page already, click here to read more. Nuts are a good source of fat, fiber and protein. They don't need refrigeration and so are a great option for on the go.
As expected, be aware of pre-packaged and prepared nuts. If they are flavored or seasoned, some can have a high sugar or salt content so just read the label.
I keep a big stash of raw and unsalted almonds, cashews and walnuts, and mix them in a small bowl when I need a snack.
Apple Slices and Peanut Butter
I love apple slices and peanut butter! This snack is incredibly delicious and filling.
Apples are high in fiber and polyphenol antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk.
Having peanut butter with the apple slices makes the fruit more filling and also may have additional benefits for heart health.
Be sure to consume in moderation, a tablespoon of peanut butter with a medium apple, and be aware of other ingredients in the peanut butter like salt and palm oil. Best to find peanut butters which say 100% peanuts on the ingredients list!
Veggie Sticks and Hummus
Veggie sticks and hummus is a great and tasty snack.
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Eating certain vegetables raw maintain its nutritional value that would be lost in cooking.
Hummus is made from chickpeas, olive oil and garlic which reduce inflammation and may improve heart health.
Preparing your veggie sticks and making hummus from scratch at home is an even better option to eliminate any unwanted additives and chemicals!
Fruit
Having a single piece of fruit like banana, apple, pear, orange or a fruit pot like melon, berries, grapes etc. can satisfy you!
Fruits are a good source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium.
I love having an apple or a pear as a snack and love a bowl of any type of melon!
Olives
I absolutely love olives, so much so they are a staple in our house!
They are very high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and provide powerful antioxidants.
The plant compounds in olives may reduce inflammation, insulin resistance and cancer risk.
As always, consume in moderation and be aware of the salt content if it's in brine.
What's your favorite healthy snack nowadays? Let me know in the comments!