When you’re in the moment and feeling those hunger pangs, it can be hard to sit and think about safe and healthy snack options. In those moments, you want whatever is closest to you and easiest to consume. To avoid grabbing the gluteny high-sugar, processed snacks that will leave you feeling unsatisfied and blah, here are eight healthy snack ideas that will satisfy you and hold you over until your next meal.
Apple slices with peanut or seed butter
Apples are high in fiber and water content, so they will fill you up without being too calorically dense. When you add peanut or seed butter on top, you’re adding healthy fats, which will also keep you full and satisfied for longer. Make sure not to peel the skin of the apple because this is where the majority of the fiber and vitamins are found.
Chia pudding
Chia seeds are an excellent snack because they are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These unsaturated fats play many vital roles in hormone production, cognitive functioning, and mood and energy levels. Just mix chia seeds in almond milk and let it sit. You can make it the night before, so it has time to absorb and add whatever toppings you like, such as fresh berries.
Homemade granola
Store-bought granola can be unnecessarily expensive and contain sneaky ingredients such as gluten and added sugars. It’s easy to make a batch of homemade granola that is a cheaper, healthier alternative to those store-bought granolas. Here’s an easy basic recipe, that can be altered to include your favorite ingredients:
Easy Granola Recipe
3 cups GF rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon GF vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts or seeds of your choice (almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, sunflour seeds, sesame seeds)
1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice (cranberries, cherries, raisins, blueberries, chopped dried apricots)
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Get a shallow rimmed baking pan ready by lining it with parchment paper.
- Use a large bowl to mix together all of the dry ingredients, except the nuts and dried fruit. Stir the honey, oil and vanilla into the dry ingredients. Mix well. Sometimes it’s good to use your hands to make sure all of the ingredients are combined.
- Spread the mixture on your parchment lined baking pan in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Take the pan out of the oven and stir in the nuts. Put back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the mixture is evenly browned and lightly toasted.
- Cool the granola on the baking pan for 15-20 minutes. Stir in the dried fruit. Cool completely before storing. Granola will keep in an airtight container on the counter for up to two weeks (if you can stop yourself from eating the whole batch in the first couple of days!).
Veggies and hummus
If you prefer savory snacks, wash and cut up some vegetables and serve them with a dollop of hummus. Peppers, carrots, celery, broccoli, and cucumber are just some of the veggies that taste great raw. This is a very low-calorie, low-carb snack that provides you with loads of vitamins, minerals, and protein from the hummus.
Yogurt and berries
You can use Greek yogurt if you want some extra protein, or coconut yogurt if you’re dairy-free. Regardless of the source, yogurt provides you with healthy fats that will keep you satisfied until your next meal. You can even use some of your homemade granola for extra calories and crunch.
Roasted chickpeas
This might be surprising, but roasted, seasoned chickpeas are as tasty as a bag of chips! This is another snack that costs a fortune in the store but is extremely inexpensive to make at home (and you know there are no nasty preservatives or additives). Simply roast some drained, canned chickpeas in the oven and season them with whatever you like— smoked paprika, garlic, or simple salt and pepper are all great ideas. Look for the recipe in the Facebook group.
Protein shake
While a smoothie can quickly become high in calories and a filling meal, you can also make a lower-calorie protein shake for a snack. Simply blend up a banana with your favorite protein powder, use water for your base, and you will have a snack that won’t pack on the calories but will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Hard-Boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a healthy staple snack. They are packed with protein from the egg whites and healthy fats from the yolk. They are recommended as an excellent snack to anyone who is looking to lose weight because of their high protein, high fat, and low carb macronutrient breakdown.
What’s your typical go-to snack when you’re on the go?
In my house, our typical snacks consist of half an avocado and some rice crackers. The healthy fats in the avocado are good for your brain and keep you satisfied until your next meal. The rice crackers add crunch and contain salt, which brings out the nutty flavor of the avocado. YUM!
Are you interested in more tips and delicious GF recipes? Come on over to my Living the Good Life Gluten Free Facebook Group where we’re sharing all of our favorites. See you there!
Love and Good Health!
