I don’t know about you guys, but snacking seems to be the absolute KRYPTONITE of maintaining a healthy diet. One minute you’re meal-prepping salads and drinking green smoothies, and the next you’ve polished off a block of chocolate for morning tea. Healthy snacking between meals, however, is an important element of a balanced diet (believe it or not!).
Why is snacking necessary?
A common stumbling block for people who avoid snacking is that they then become too hungry for their next meal, and over-indulge as a result (welcome that full, bleh feeling). Frequent eating can also increase and maintain a healthy flowing metabolism, as the body is consistently moving nutrients through. Dips and lulls in energy can also be avoided by fuelling our bodies with interim snacks throughout the day. Snacking will also keep your blood sugar levels stabilized and aid in overall satiety.
We’ve curated a list of healthy snacks that will contribute to a balanced diet whilst providing essential nutrients, curbing our cravings, and keeping our bodies and minds happy.
Our top 10 healthy snacks
- Greek yoghurt with granola, berries, and honey
You can’t go wrong with this combo – calcium and probiotics gifted by the Greek yoghurt, coupled with dietary fibre and other essential vitamins and minerals in the fruit and granola. And it tastes like dessert! We feature a delicious Apple & Cinnamon Bircher w Housemade Nuts n’ Seeds Granola on the menu each week! Try it here
- Corn thins with avocado and tomato
Quick and easy to make and is perfect to tide you over between lunch and dinner. Simply spread avocado straight on the corn thin, top with a slice of tomato and salt and pepper to your liking.
- Lightly salted edamame
A totally overlooked, great source of plant protein. Air-fry the beans for a couple of minutes and then toss through salt, and any spices of your choice.
- Bliss balls
A great alternative for those sweet-treat cravings. Now these require a little more preparation before they can be enjoyed – but pre-prepare a whole batch once and have them ready to go in the fridge for the coming weeks. Another great thing about bliss balls is that they are very versatile. Use whatever nut butter, dried fruit and nuts you desire to create these little balls of protein, fibre, and healthy fats to enjoy. Our Crispy Raw Cacao Energy Balls are a customer favourite, try them here
- Hummus and veggie sticks
A classic for a reason. Simply slice your favourite raw vege into sticks, whether it be carrot, beans, celery, capsicum, cucumber etc and dip into hummus (hot tip, homemade hummus is super easy and a great way to make this snack even healthier!).
- Apple slices with nut butter
As it sounds, basically! Fight those hangry emotions with this all-rounder snack that is a great source of healthy fat, essential vitamins and minerals and dietary fibre. Either drizzle nut butter onto apple slices or dip them straight into the jar!
- Boiled eggs
Behold…the king of snacking versatility – eggs. Boiled eggs are a great source of protein and can be enjoyed on their own topped with salt, pepper and paprika, or crushed up onto a piece of wholewheat toast, a rice cake or tossed through a light salad.
- Wholegrain toast, cottage cheese and strawberries
This is a personal favourite of mine. Protein, healthy fat, fibre, vitamins, minerals you name it, it’s got it (and so delish). Simply spread however much cottage cheese you fancy onto a piece of wholegrain toast, and top with sliced strawberries.
- Smoothies
Lots of freedom with this one! Simply blend your favourite fruits, vegetables and fancy additions you might like (protein, nut butter, oats etc) with water or milk of choice and enjoy a healthy snack on the run. A customer favourite at DCE coffee retail is our F45 smoothie, banana, blueberries, coconut, peanut butter, almond milk, protein.
- Dark chocolate
I’m sure this will be a winner for lots of people. Eating a healthy, balanced diet doesn’t mean you can’t eat chocolate. Opt for good quality (80%+ cocoa) as this will provide more antioxidants and less added sugar.