Food affects your mood and mindset to a great extent. When you are hungry, you tend to be more irritable and grumpy. When you have consumed your favourite food or satisfied your cravings, you seem to be in a good and happy mood. Most times, our tongue palates crave different flavours and particular tastes.
Food definitely boosts anyone’s mood and sets a tone for the day. A significant part of mood apart from the three meals of the day is snacking. We usually snack in the evening and sometimes late in the night. This snacking affects our health, metabolism, and many things related to our bodies. We have curated a list of healthy and tasty snacks for a guilt-free time;
1. Makhana is roasted lotus seeds which can be eaten with added spices the way one desires. Makhana is an excellent source of multiple essential nutrients and makes a great addition to a healthy, well-rounded diet. It is also rich in several micronutrients, including iron, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.
2. Fresh and seasonal fruits are the healthiest items one can snack on. Fruit can be topped with little pepper or such mix to add a further twist.
3. Hummus, made up of boiled chickpeas, has multiple variants. It can be flavoured with basil and beet and eaten with pickled vegetables or flavoured crackers and is a healthy option to curb your craving.
4. Promunch is a soy snack and has three flavours in its product category. Each flavour comes with a unique twist to satiate your taste buds. It is also high in protein and benefits your body in multiple ways. It’s a guilt-free snacking option that should be on your list without fail.
5. Bananas pack a tremendous amount of health benefits. Naturally fat-free, one medium banana contains 30 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fibre, and 1 gram of protein. You can pair the fruit with almond butter for additional protein intake, noting that the nut butter will keep you full longer because protein is slower to digest.
6. Quinoa, a highly nutritious grain, is rich in complex carbohydrates and protein, which should keep you full and energized well into your next meal. We suggest packing this lunchtime-side snack instead of rice, pasta, or even oatmeal with quinoa.
7. Seeds, whether you choose sunflower, pumpkin, or flax, consumption of magnesium-rich seeds will boost your energy. Numerous nutritionists state that magnesium is an excellent example of an energy nutrient that is required for the body to produce and store energy.
8. Almonds give you nourishing bites of protein and fibre that can keep you going through even the most challenging days. They are rich in magnesium, which helps produce energy and other vital functions.
9. Berries are fibre rich snacks that taste delicious. Any type of berry is yum on its own and can be combined with one of the nuts on this list for some extra fat and protein.
10. Popcorn is a nutritious, low-calorie snack and a great source of the minerals zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. The minerals help digestion, immune function, energy production and brain health. Be sure to binge on air-popped popcorn rather than pre-packaged or microwave varieties, which are usually packed with extra fat, calories, and sodium. Popcorn delivers filling fibre and less than 100 calories.
11. Red bell pepper with guacamole – This combo gives you plenty of nutrients that help keep you feeling full for hours. Although all bell peppers are nutritious, red ones are particularly high in antioxidants. On the other hand, guacamole is a rich source of healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals like phosphorus and potassium.
12. Celery sticks and nut butter – celery is a low-calorie vegetable. Celery is primarily water, which helps one feel full. Pairing celery with nut butter such as almond or peanut butter can also provide the benefits of healthy protein and fats.
13. Greek yoghurt with berries is high in calcium and protein and low in calories and fat. One can add fresh fruit or nuts to Greek yoghurt to improve its taste and add extra nutritional value.
14. Apples and peanut butter are a match like no other – both nutritionally and flavour-wise. Apples are a fibre-rich fruit and when paired with peanuts, they provide healthy fats, plant-based protein, and fibre – pretty much all of the filling nutrients you should look for in a snack. You’ll enjoy a crisp and creamy snack.
15. Cottage cheese and fruit is high in filling protein. Pairing cottage cheese with fruit complements the protein of cheese and fat content with the fruit’s fibre, resulting in a sweet, creamy, and filling snack. The combination is super tasty when combined with cheese with tropical fruits such as watermelon, papaya or pineapple.
When your next craving hits, aim for whole foods that add nutrition to your diet instead of highly processed options. Having some healthy choices in reach can help you stay satiated, add more nutrients to your diet, and support weight management.
