Healthy Munchies

Other than three square meals a day, we all need little snacks in between to keep us going. While it’s convenient to purchase to-go bites from your favorite fast food chains or vending machines, it’s an unhealthy habit.

Majority of these fast food chains serve food that are high in trans-fat and sodium. And while some packed snacks are labeled as “low-fat,” they actually have little or no nutritional value. Your best bet is to prepare your own snacks with fresh and natural ingredients. Here are some healthy DIY snacks:

Vegetable Dip
Chop and slice sticks of your favorite raw vegetables, such as carrots or celery, and prepare a small container of dip. Examples of healthy dips are hummus, fat-free yogurt, applesauce and cottage cheese. If you’re not in the mood for veggies, pack some whole wheat or multi-grain crackers.

Party Mix
Mix two to three of the following: raw almonds, raw mixed nuts, dried fruit, dried peas, and fresh unbuttered popcorn. Avoid buying pre-packed nuts and party mixes from the groceries; they usually have too much salt. Shop for these ingredients at health specialty stores. They may cost a little more, but it’s worth the price if you want to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.

Fruit Skewers
Skewer your favorite slices of fruit, such as apples, mandarin oranges, and bananas. Prepare dark chocolate fudge or melted dark chocolate as your dip. Dark chocolate is the healthier alternative to milk chocolate.

Fruit Fix
Not fond of chocolates? Go for raw fruits. Just grab an apple, banana, orange, or a bunch of grapes. It’s the quickest snack on the counter!

Low-Cal Sandwich
Not all sandwiches are made equal. Some sandwiches are just as fattening as a dish of fried rice and fried meat. The trick is in the bread and filling. Start by choosing whole wheat instead of white bread. Then pick tuna, white boiled or grilled chicken, or grilled veggies. Avoid fatty mayo and go for cottage cheese or mustard.

Homemade Soup
Heat some low-sodium vegetable broth. Mix in some chopped veggies and rinsed beans. When the veggies are cooked, season the soup with fresh herbs. If you want a creamy soup, add low-fat milk or evaporated skim milk. Stay away from heart-clogging whipped creams.