Healthy Snack Ideas

Cravings happen to all of us. Often, when a craving hits in the afternoon or the evening after dinner, we get the urge to snack- check in with yourself and look at the reason without judgment. Are you hungry or bored or tired? Doesn't mean skipping the snack but be aware and understanding where it's coming from and remember a snack isn't a meal and should still need to be balanced.

The trick to snacking without shame or guilt is to understand the root cause for the snack and with permission to all foods doesn't mean you can't opt for the healthier alternatives to the regular snacks you might normally reach for.

Usually, when we get a craving it is for either something sweet (chocolate!), savory (potato chips!), creamy (ice cream!), or crunchy (crisps!). Obviously, these foods shouldn’t be eaten all the time but that doesn’t mean you have to fight your cravings for the rest of your life. Instead, you can choose to substitute.

Next time you get a craving for something sweet, why not try:

• fresh, whole fruit

• apples and almond butter

• dried fruit

• green smoothies

• banana “ice cream” (peel a banana, freeze, blend in a food processor with nuts, berries, or raisins, and serve)

• dates stuffed with almond butter or other nut butter

• organic dark chocolate chips or carob chips

For your savory cravings, try these healthy alternatives:

• olives

• pickles and pickled vegetables, such as carrots, daikon, beets, and lotus root

• tabouli, hummus

• steamed vegetables with tamari/shoyu or umeboshi vinegar

• freshly made salsa or guacamole

• Sauerkraut (will also knock your sweet craving right out!)

• salted edamame

Your creamy cravings can be met by eating:

• smoothies

• avocados

• rice pudding

• dips and spreads, like hummus and baba ghanoush

• puréed soups

• puddings made with silken tofu, avocado, or mashed banana

• mashed sweet potatoes

• coconut milk

Finally, don‘t cave and reach for the Pringles, when you can eat these crunchy (but still healthy) snacks:

• apples

• frozen grapes

• rice cakes

• light popcorn or plain popcorn (use coconut oil to pop in a covered pan)

• carrots (particularly the sweet, organic baby carrots)

• celery and nut butter

• raw, unsalted nuts like cashews, almonds, and walnuts

Remember - don’t fight your craving. Instead, listen to what it is your body wants specifically without judgment, and even with permission for all foods that doesn't mean you don't have a choice- you can still choose to do foods in moderation or even the healthier option that will be good for your health- don't skip or restrict your snack.