Next time you open your drawer to grab that chocolate bar or a cookie for a mid-morning or -afternoon snack, think twice. Here are five healthy snacks that can help you avoid picking up that pesky winter weight:
- Kiwi fruit
This little fruit is packed with antioxidents, fibre and an abundance of Vitamin C. Not only is it delicious, it can also help aid your resistance against colds and flu. Slice one up or add it to greek joghurt for quick, refreshing snack.
- Popcorn
This movie-time snack has long been touted as a healthy option by various diets. Either use an air popper or olive oil instead of sunflower or canola oil. Avoid going the over-the-top butter and salt route, and drizzle some olive oil or a dash of herbed salt over the popcorn to flavour it.
- Dried fruit
You’ll have loads of options, as dried fruit ranges from strawberry rolls to mango strips. Raisins and cranberries are also a good option and can be popped in a bag to take to work or school. Be sure the read the packaging to see which varieties contain extra sugar.
- Vegetable crisps
These days not only potatoes can be sliced thin and baked to crispy goodness. Many retailers now stock vegetable crisps like beetroot, sweet potato and carrot, or a mix of a few different vegetables. These can mostly be found in small, 25g bags or larger 100g quantities. You can even try making your own by slicing the abovementioned veggies very thinly, giving them a thin coating of olive oil and baking them on a baking try until light brown and crispy.
- Trail mix
If you love nuts and seeds, this may just be the snacking solution for you. Make your own trail mix by mixing your favourite nuts like almond, pecans and macadamias with pumpkin, sesame and flax seeds. Add dried fruit like raisins, berries and pineapple if you have a sweet tooth.
