Just a Smart Snack, alone or with a few friends of theirs, is some of the many things that go to comprise a healthy lifestyle with great energy and mental capability. Ranging from mid-morning recess snack and mid-afternoon school snack to mid-afternoon hunger pang, the humble snack is capable of a great deal in the life of a person, child and teenager alike. With products that are not refined and with little sugar and bad fat content we can allow for great nutrition and feel fuller for much longer.

A Smart Snack may be looked down upon if fun to make or too tedious; however, a snack can become smart if creative.

Why is Smart Snacking Being Presented Forward?

A snack complements a meal when there is a lack of particular elements in our daily food due to one reason or another. With the utilization of snacks, we can cut down on the space created due to the lack of snacking, so when we do eat, we tend not to eat too much. Through snacks we receive essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre necessary to fuel our body.

Benefits of Smart Snacking

• Will greatly boost your energy levels.
• Will stimulate healthy growth in a child.
• Will augment mental capacity and concentration.
• Will reduce your urge for that not-to-be-eaten food.
• A smart snack will supplement your diet.

A Smart Snack will surely enable good habits and a good lifestyle that will last a lifetime.

Fresh Fruit Snacks

As fruit contains natural sugars as well as good nutrients, many people enjoy eating fruit as their healthy snack and no sugars are being added.

Snack options of Fruit snacks:

• Apple
• Banana
• Grapes
• Orange
• Watermelon
• Berries

Can be eaten with Yogurt, Nuts or Peanut butter or within Fruit salad or Smoothie bowl.

Nuts and Seeds

Loaded with good fats, protein and fibre that are certain to keep the stomach full.

Options for nuts and seeds:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Cashews
• Pistachios
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds

Despite the fact that a small handful can last you an afternoon, keep it at a controlled portion.

Yogurt Based Snacks

Contain plenty of calcium and protein, not to mention good probiotics to give our tummy and guts an boost.

Options for yogurt based snacks:

• Plain yogurt with honey drizzle
• Yogurt parfait with fruit and granola layered
• Homemade fruit and yogurt popsicles
• Fruit and Yogurt smoothie

The most recommended product is plain yogurt as flavored yogurt always contains too much sugar.

Homemade Popcorn

This is an exceptional whole grain snack free from artificial colors and bad fats often encountered in commercially manufactured snacks.

Suggestions for Good Popcorn Snacks:

• Air pop the popcorn
• Season with pepper, herbs and a touch of salt
• Use sparingly amounts of butter and oil

A light and fulfilling snack perfect for the evening.

Vegetable Sticks with Dip

This colourful snack is a brilliant, nutritionally rich, vitamin-packed and mineral packed item when with a good dip.

Vegetable options

• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes

Can be enjoyed with hummus, yogurt dip or guacamole.

Energy Balls and Homemade Bars

Little effort is needed to put these homemade snacks together.

The typical components of energy balls and bars are as follows:

• Oats
• Peanut butter
• Dates
• Nuts
• Chia seeds
• Cocoa powder

These can provide a whole lot of sustenance while being considerably healthier than commercially made snacks.

Healthy Sandwiches and Wraps

Delicious, nutritious and filling while being significantly quicker to prepare than a meal.

Good snack sandwich and wrap options:

• Banana peanut butter sandwich
• Paneer and vegetable sandwich
• Egg salad sandwich
• Chicken salad with lettuce sandwich

They are made richer with fiber and fullness with the use of whole wheat bread.

Smoothies for instant nutrient intake

Smoothies offer a great and easy way for one to enjoy their nutrient-rich food in one serving.

Smoothie options:

• Banana and peanut butter smoothie mixed with milk or yogurt
• Yogurt and fruit smoothie
• Mango, oat, yogurt and banana smoothie
• Fruit and spinach smoothie

Addingnuts, seeds and oats are essential to guarantee more fiber and protein.

Cheese and Crackers

A fast snack with calcium and protein and also an crunchy, savory treat if accompanied with fiber-rich crackers.

Cheese and cracker snack options:

• Low-fat cheese
• Whole grain crackers
• Homemade crackers

These are a fast and simple snack that can be prepared in a matter of minutes, packed for your child’s school lunch or consumed while you’re at work.

Smart Snacking Tips

Plan ahead

Making the snacks in advance will eliminate the difficulty in ensuring that one doesn’t succumb to an unhealthy choice.

Check food labels for added Sugar, added Salt and Artificial Ingredients – and the lower the content, the better.

Keep healthy options stocked

Nuts, yogurt, fruits, and whole grains always come in handy.

Control portion size

The amount eaten is more important than the snack itself, and the snack’s significance for your energy levels is determined by the portion size.

Smart Snacking for Children

Encourage the intake of colourful fruits, get the children involved with preparation of snack and use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches.

• Fruit skewers
• Homemade fruit and yogurt popsicles
• Mini sandwiches cut with cookie cutters
• Homemade trail mix

Conclusion

Regardless of your age, a good snack can give you the required amount of concentration for your daily task and boost your energy levels greatly. With fruits, nuts, yogurt and also homemade snacks, a healthy meal is indeed always beneficial for your body.