Balancing our love of food with the need to stay healthy can feel like an uphill battle sometimes. Eating well, exercising, and staying mindful during meals are all great ways to maintain your health, but sometimes healthy snacks are all we really need to bring a smile to our faces. While modern life has convinced many of us that three medium to large meals a day is the best way to eat, this is not true for all of us.
Just as some people don’t feel at their best going to sleep through the night to get up early, many people are happier and more satisfied when they snack or ‘graze,’ rather than having three meals at regular times.
Research shows that neither mode of eating is best for maintaining a healthy weight. It’s all about getting the right nutrients and calories for your lifestyle. With that in mind, we have curated a list of healthy, nutritious and delicious snacks for foodies who like to graze throughout the day.
7 Healthy Snacks to Fuel Your Joy
Maintaining good health doesn’t have to drain the joy out of life. We don’t believe in restrictive diets; all food is good food, so long as your overall diet is balanced. These snacks may be nutritious and healthy, but they’re not rabbit food.
Packed with flavor and texture, they taste as good as they look and smell.
1. Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are filled with natural goodness and sweetness. If you want a snack that is both healthy and indulgent, spiced sweet potato fries will hit the spot every time. You can have them with a little hummus or zesty tahini if you want to change the flavor and really invigorate your taste buds.
The secret to great spiced sweet potato fries is simple” make sure the fries are evenly coated and spread out as they cook.
Whether you fry or bake your sweet potato fries, we recommend tossing them in olive oil before you sprinkle them with salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, and some chili for a nice kick.
You can add whatever spices you like, though, of course. There’s no single way to enjoy the fiber, vitamins, and micronutrients in this healthy snack.
2. Spicy Feta Sandwich
Feta is a wonderful cheese. Its firm texture and sharp flavor make it a great accompaniment to many dishes, and the humble sandwich is no different. Many people think a sandwich is not a healthy snack, but it can be. The right ingredients and a nutritious bread can make all the difference.
If you’re hungry and craving a substantial snack, or you prefer to graze rather than have full meals, a spicy feta sandwich made with wholesome fatoot bread and dark leafy greens will satiate your hunger and invigorate your taste buds – that’s just what we offer.
Our spicy feta sandwich is bursting with nutrients: the feta provides calcium, probiotics, zinc, healthy fats, and B vitamins. Served with fresh tomatoes, hot sauce, and greens between slices of fresh fatoot bread (which is filled with fiber and nutritious fennel, caraway, and sesame seeds), it’s the perfect thing to beat lunchtime hunger.
3. Hummus with Fresh Vegetables
The rich, earthiness of good hummus is hard to beat. A staple in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East as a whole, hummus can be served with falafel or breads, but for a light, refreshing snack, we recommend fresh vegetables.
The crunchy juiciness of fresh carrots, for example, makes a perfect contrast to the smooth, soft richness of a really good hummus and is packed with important vitamins. Celery, broccoli, and other tasty vegetables are also great options.
If you want to add a touch of sweetness, however, try honey roasting some carrots and potatoes to add to your hummus. It takes a little more time, but your healthy snacks are worth those extra few moments.
4. Baked Spiced Apples
Apples make the perfect snack at any time; an apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so they say. But a plain apple isn’t always inviting. If you want a sweet treat that is bursting with vitamins and fiber, consider making baked spiced apples to satisfy your sweet tooth.
There are many ways to bake spiced apples, and you should follow your own preferences to make sure that you get a snack you really love.
However, we love baking apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of brown sugar. This will make a lovely, sweet treat that is full of iron, vitamin C, and fiber. You can even add a handful of raisins or your favorite nuts to indulge a little more.
5. Falafel and Tahini
Whether you like to make your falafel with chickpeas or fava beans, these staples of Middle Eastern culture are versatile. While you can center a whole meal around falafel, fresh falafel bites with zesty tahini make the perfect snack for a long day.
Full of fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates, as well as vitamin C and potassium, they provide fuel for a joyful life. Pair your falafel with lemon tahini to make a refreshing snack that will bring a smile to your face.
While you can buy falafel ready-made, we recommend making your own. It’s quick and easy; all you need are canned chickpeas, onion, parsley, cumin, garlic, green chilies, salt, and olive oil. Remember to let the outside crisp for a lovely texture!
6. Garden Salad Cup
A good salad is like a party for the senses. Bursting with color, different textures, and filled with goodness, just about any salad will make your day better. Garden salads are one of the best healthy snacks for those who want to combine joyful flavor with health promoting ingredients.
You can make a garden salad with whatever you have to hand, of course; any leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, or cheeses can make a great garden salad! This also makes it a great snack, since it’s easy to assemble.
Our garden salad cup is packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and pectin, thanks to the mix of halloumi, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green apples, and cucumbers we add. Freshly made every day, this is a perfect, invigorating and healthy snack for foodies.
7. Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are the ideal healthy snack when you don’t want anything big, but you need to eat something tasty and healthy. Filled with fiber and protein, chickpeas can help to reduce inflammation and keep your blood sugar stable.
When you roast them in a healthy fat such as olive oil and add spices or lime, you will find that they are not just healthy, but also invigorating. Many spices are filled with beneficial micronutrients and add a pleasant taste, while the sharpness of lime zest adds depth to the flavor.
To make the perfect crunchy roasted chickpeas, add garlic powder, paprika, salt, cumin, and olive oil before roasting at 400F for 25 minutes.
As you can see, it’s easy to make healthy, indulgent snacks that satisfy. You don’t need to live on plain, boring foods to be healthy. You can make so many wonderful, quick foods at home, but if you ever find yourself short of time, the team at HyTable is always here to provide you with good, healthy food that isn’t served with a side of guilt.