If you’re one to snack on a candy bar or chow down some curry-puffs in-between meals, you might want to put them down and opt for something more nutritious instead. Some of the healthier snacks out there can in fact be a little boring on the tastebuds, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the yummiest snacks that are both healthy, low-in-fat and affordable. So, get your recipe cards out and start snacking healthy!
1. Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
1 Banana
2 tbsp rolled-oats
1/2 cup Low-fat milk/soy milk and yogurt.
Some ice-cubes and water.
Blend ingredients together, pour in a tall glass and sip with a straw.
A glass of banana smoothie is one of the best snacks to have when you’re craving something sweet and fulfilling. A concoction of a banana, some milk and a few tablespoons of rolled-oats will give you enough energy to make it through the day. Especially, when you’re hard at work at the office and in need of a little energy. A glass of smoothie can also serve as a meal replacement, but remember to throw in more fruits and a little more oatmeal to keep you going!
2. Apple Slices and Peanut Butter
1 Red apple
1/2 Tbsp peanut butter
Slice your apples and spread peanut butter onto apple slices.
Apples are considered to be the most nutritional sweet-snack. And since they can be a little boring on its own, a dollop of peanut-butter might just do the trick! Peanut butter is a lot healthier than you think. It is high in fibre and potassium, that can help regulate your digestive system.
3. Fruit & Yogurt Parfait
1/2 cup Non-fat or low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup berries
3 tbsp Granola or hi-fibre cereal(Kellogg’s Special K or Nestlé Fitnesse)
Fill your bowl with fruit on the bottom. Add a dollop of yogurt and repeat in layers. Crumble your cereal on top.
A yogurt parfait might sound fancy, but it’s not as tricky or expensive as you think. A simple combination of yogurt and fruit can keep your belly and sweet-tooth satisfied for the day! It’s also a healthier option than reaching out for a bowl of ice-cream.
4. Rice Cakes/crackers with Peanut Butter
1 Rice cake/cracker
1 tbspn Peanut Butter
Spread peanut butter on the rice-cracker, or use peanut butter as a dip.
Opt for thin rice crackers or water crackers instead of regular crackers. They contain less fat and more satisfying, which also means you can have a few more!
5. Fruit Popsicle
1/2 cup Low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup Fruits of your choice (berries, kiwi, pineapple, etc)
1/3 cup Cold water
Combine ingredients into a jug, stir, and pour into popsicle-moulds. Freeze at least 5 hours.
There’s no denying that our weather is perfect for ice-cream at anytime of the day. But a scoop of ice-cream contains a lot of sugar and cream, which of course, is high in fat and calories. Instead, combine your favorite fruits and freeze them in little popsicle-moulds. They’re much affordable and there’s always room for creativity! You can also replace water with home-made fruit juice like watermelon for that extra zest of hydration.
6. Yogurt Berries
1 cup Low-fat yogurt
1 cup Berries of your choice (strawberries, cherries, blueberries)
Dip berries in yogurt until fully coated. Place berries on aluminum foil and freeze overnight.
Frozen fruit is delightful! But coat them in yogurt, and you’ll get an extra zing of the right bacteria needed for good digestion.
7. Guilt-Popcorn
3 cups Air-popped popcorn
1/2 tsp sea salt
Sprinkle sea-salt over popcorn and mix.
If you’re looking to snack on chips, have popcorn instead. They’re not processed, low in fat and high in fibre. If you have a sweet tooth, sprinkle some 0-calorie sweetener and mix it with your popcorn. Popcorn contains ferulic acid which providesf therapeutic effects against cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s Disease.
8. Cinnamon and Fruit
1 Apple/banana (large)
1 tsp Cinnamon powder
1 tbsp Honey
Place an aluminium foil onto a baking tray. Chop apples/bananas and lay them on foil. Drizzle the honey over the fruits and dust o the cinnamon powder. Place the tray into the oven for 15-20 minutes in medium heat until soft. They should resemble pie-filling. Eat it as it or spread it onto a hi-fibre toast.
If you’re craving some pie, this is a budget and heart-friendly option. With 3 simple and affordable ingredients, you can make this everyday or even save them as topping for your yogurt parfait or oatmeal in the morning.
9. Omelette
1 Egg
1 cup Vegetables of your choice (diced)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
On a heated non-stick pan, pour in the olive oil, and sauté vegetables. In a bowl, whisk the egg and pour into the pan. As it cooks, add in a pinch of salt and black pepper for taste.
Eggs are beneficial. They’re good for our hair, eyes, skin and full with protein. A simple omelette can keep your hunger-pangs at bay, and for a long time. If you’d like to have it as a meal, simply have it with a little toast or some slices of roast chicken breast.
10. Salmon Wrap
1 piece Light wrap (Mountain bread/tortilla)
4 slices Smoked salmon
5 slices baby spinach leaves
Cracked black pepper
Lay out the salmon on the edge of bread. Place spinach leaves on top. Sprinkle some black-pepper to taste, then roll and tuck neatly.
Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids help your brain work better and improve your memory. It also contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B and D and minerals calcium and iron.
Do you have any of your own low-calorie recipes that you swear by? Please share with us on Facebook or Twitter!
