Gurugram (Haryana) [India], April 17: Snacking is a good way to keep your body energised between meals. Unlike the popular opinion, snacking does not involve the consumption of highly processed and unhealthy foods. Rather, snacking can also be healthy without compromising the nutritional value of the food you consume.
Here is a list of healthy and nutrient-rich snacks that can help satisfy your taste buds and keep your gut full throughout the day:
- Peanut Butter
Peanut butter has good amounts of protein, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients help maintain your overall health, making it an excellent snacking option. You can directly have a spoonful of the same or apply it on multigrain bread to savour a good toast. Moreover, peanut butter of 1 kg price in India also falls within the affordable range.
- Hard Boiled Eggs
Eggs are the most easily available and least expensive food item. Boiling them is the simplest and fastest way to make them ready to be consumed. They offer the goodness of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and choline. An important factor you should note is that eggs have a comparatively higher level of cholesterol. Therefore, you incorporate the same in your meals accordingly.
- Protein Bars
Protein bars are among the most convenient snacking or meal replacement options that you can carry anywhere and consume at any given time. They have good amounts of protein, healthy carbs, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, and fibre content. You can check the list of ingredients mentioned on the label of these chocolate protein bars and avoid products that have any added sugars, unhealthy fats, or other additives.
- Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is among the most versatile food items. You can either consume it directly or add it to different recipes to enhance their taste and nutritional value. Greek yoghurt can provide you with good amounts of protein, probiotics, calcium, and vitamin B12. It is usually low in sugar, and the different flavours can be a treat for your taste buds. The probiotic content, in particular, can help regulate a healthy digestive system and also enhance immunity.
- Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an underrated snack that you can either munch on or use to add an extra flavour to your meals. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. It is advised that you should consume these in moderation. Also, go for the option that is not coated in sugar or salt. This is because these extra ingredients are unhealthy and can add to your calorie count.
- Fresh Fruits
We have all been asked to consume fresh fruits almost on a daily basis since childhood. This is because the nutrition they provide to our body can help maintain overall health and well-being. They provide you with vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, and ample water content. In addition to these nutrients, their low calories can help you manage your weight effectively. The varieties of fruits are available in the market can never let you get bored of consuming this healthy food. However, if you have limited options available, you can also create healthy smoothies and shakes.
- Fox Nuts (or Makhana)
Fox nuts are basically lotus seeds and are a common snack among Indians. These are consumed during fasts, added as an ingredient to sweets, and can also be consumed as a snack - raw or roasted. They have good amounts of protein, fibre, calcium, and iron. Fox nuts provide multiple benefits to your body. These include weight management, heart health maintenance, improved digestion, regulated blood sugar levels, and so on.
Conclusion
So this was an entire list of healthy, nutritious snacks you can add to your daily diet. However, excess consumption of any food item is bad, no matter how healthy or nutrient-dense it is. Therefore, you should stay aware of the quantities of intake to avoid any negative effects.
Including these snacks in your daily diet can help keep up your energy levels and prevent overeating during meals. You can also consult your nutritionist for the right way to include these in your diet while balancing the nutritional content of your meals.
Do let us know about your favourite healthy and nutritious snacking options in the comments below!