Put Down the Junk and Choose a Healthy Snack Instead

Arguably the hardest time to eat healthy is when you are snacking. During a meal, it makes sense to eat healthy and the food goes together to build flavors. With a snack, it’s often very limited in terms of flavor and it’s easy to turn to some salty high carb options. Snacking healthy is a crucial part of figuring out a healthy diet. A healthy diet combined with exercise is truly the cornerstone of modern health. It reduces the risk of a huge number of problematic diseases and helps people feel better on a day to day basis. Sure it may feel temporarily fulfilling to eat a bag of chips, but that feeling is going to fade. Being healthy will increase your overall feeling each and every day! These healthy snacks are a great alternative to some of the obvious unhealthy ones that so many of us turn to. When you get a chance, try some of them out! 

1 - Veggies and Guacamole

The flavor of guacamole is hard to match. Arguably the best dip out there, guacamole is too often conveyed to the mouth through the use of tortilla chips. These are high in sodium and carbs and can be replaced by healthier options. Bell peppers are actually a great option and go well with guacamole. Many of the standard dip vegetables still work like celery, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. 

2 - Kale Chips

Okay, yes, many people don’t like kale. However, it’s full of fiber and antioxidants. Kale is a great healthy option and is also loaded with vitamins K, A and C. One way to take the sting out of kale is to make kale chips. By cutting the kale into bite size chunks and then baking at 350 degrees, they improve quickly. Make sure to drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil on them before you begin, along with a pinch of salt to bring out their flavor. One warning is that they can burn quickly. Typically they should bake for 10 to 15 minutes, but keep an eye on them. 

3 - Greek Yogurt and Berries 

Greek yogurt on its own is a pretty great snack that’s high in calcium, protein and potassium. However, it can get a bit dull if that’s all you eat all the time as the snack. Try adding a few berries to the mix. Berries are loaded with antioxidants and add a burst of flavor to the yogurt. A great thing about berries is that despite their sweetness, they are pretty low in sugar, even for fruits. 

4 - Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes

These are an excellent flavor match. If you want to take things a little bit farther, add some fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and watch your taste buds thank you. Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients. Mozzarella is high in proteins and calcium. Mozzarella can be high in fat, so make sure that you’re portioning properly to get the right balance. 

5 - Protein Shakes

This snack is often best accompanied by some kind of exercise as well, as it will help with recovery from the workout. Protein shakes are one of the easiest items to throw together. You can use milk, almond milk, water or other liquids as the base. Add some protein powder and some optional ice. Blend it up and voila. Most protein powder is now flavored, so there’s plenty of choices out there. If you have unflavored powder, consider a healthy sweetener other than sugar if you need it. Some strawberries or peaches can work nicely.