Healthy Snack Food Options
Snacking is one of the great joys in life. It’s the perfect accompaniment for watching television, reading and hanging with loved ones. But, sometimes, the accessibility of snacking can lead to overeating, bloating, and unhealthy weight gain. The good news is that you don’t have to give up snacking, but you can make more conscious decisions about what you’re eating and how it affects your body.
The Importance of a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is an essential part of your overall health. When you fuel your body with the proper nutrients, you’re likely to feel good physically, which leads to improved moods and a better overall sense of self. Maintaining a nutritious diet reduces your chances of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. Eating well can also impact your mental and emotional health.
Healthy Snacks to Make at Home
Finding the right snack option can be difficult. Sometimes the easiest way to ensure your snacks are healthy is to make your own at home.
Homemade Granola
Granola is the perfect sweet treat for any time of day. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. Then, combine 4 cups of old fashion oats, 1 ½ cup chopped pecans, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a bowl. Add 1⁄2 cup of coconut oil, ½ cup of pure maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until well blended. Pour the mixture onto the baking sheet and spread it out evenly to cover the parchment paper. Bake the granola for 20 minutes, or until it is golden brown. Once it’s done baking, you can top it off with dried fruit, such as dried cranberries or raisins. Let the granola cool, and then you can break it into bite-size pieces. You can eat it alone or add it to your favorite yogurt!
Fruit Smoothie
If you prefer a beverage snack, try a fruit smoothie. Add 1 ½ cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of nut butter (peanut or almond), and 1 cup of dairy-free milk to a blender. Fill the rest of the blender with your choice of frozen fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Blend the ingredients until it’s a creamy consistency. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add more non-dairy milk. If it’s too watery, add in more frozen fruit.
What to Look for in Prepackaged Snacks
When you’re shopping for snacks at the store, it can be difficult to tell the difference between genuinely healthy snacks and marketing tricks. Buzzwords like “sugar-free,” “vegan,” and “organic” don’t necessarily mean they’re healthy, so try not to impulse buy based on those words. Instead, look for fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that you can pair with nut butter, hummus, or eat alone.
When purchasing prepacked foods, try to avoid options filled with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, neotame, and sucralose. You can also find foods with no high fructose corn syrup, another added sweetener. Some healthy snack options to consider are lightly salted rice cakes, low-sugar granola bars such as Kind or Larabars, roasted chickpeas, dried fruit without added sugar, unsalted mixed nuts, or popcorn made with natural ingredients and light butter/salt.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
If you’re not comfortable in the kitchen or need help evaluating snacks at the grocery store, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our compassionate caregivers can assist with grocery shopping, meal preparations, cooking, and cleanup. They can also assist with various other nonmedical tasks such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, personal grooming, mobility assistance, and more.
Our Wayzata office serves those in Minneapolis and the west and southwest communities. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 952.935.0789.