Turn to Healthy Snacks to Help You Avoid Binge-Eating and Eat Smart! 7 Recipes for the Best Diet Snacks That are so Tasty You Won't Believe How Healthy They Are!

Turn to Healthy Snacks to Help You Avoid Binge-Eating and Eat Smart! 7 Recipes for the Best Diet Snacks That are so Tasty You Won't Believe How Healthy They Are!

Snacks are the most important, yet the most under-appreciated meals of the day. Most nutritionist recommend having 2 to 3 small and low-calorie snacks in a day. Not only do they provide additional nutrition to your body, it also helps overcome any sort of hypoglycemia or weakness in the body, which is common while trying to restrict your food intake. Healthy snacks help you avoid reaching out for unhealthy food options to binge-eat when hungry! Here are the best healthy food recipes, which not only keeps you full for long, but also satisfies your taste-buds!

Why Having A Healthy Diet Is Important?

Our health is governed mostly by the food we eat. Proper nutrition is essential to lead a normal and healthy life. A healthy diet is also necessary for our endeavour to lose weight and prevent chronic diseases. Moreover, we as elders need to teach our children the best values in life. They learn a lot from our actions and they follow our dietary habits too. We need to ensure that our children imbibe a sense of having a proper diet from an early age. While we are conscious of having healthy food during our meals, we must also ensure we have healthy snacks too.

How To Choose Snacks That Are Healthy?

Your Choice Must Be Nutritious

During snacks time, we are always lured by chips, burgers and carbonated drinks, but they are harmful to our health. We must choose only nutritious food. Several snacks can be easily made with an assortment of fruits and vegetables. They contain a variety of nutrients like; vitamins, minerals and fiber, that are important to stay healthy. Those who prefer their snacks to be sweet can choose a fruit-based snack. Whole-grain snacks are helpful too and provide you with the energy for any unfinished work. Dairy-based snacks are ideal to curb the afternoon hunger pangs.

The Snack Must Be Small

You must have a snack in between your meals to keep your stomach full. You must not have too much food as a snack, as it could seriously affect your productivity through the rest of the day. There is a risk of having too many calories, too. Always choose healthy snacks and that too in small amounts. You can have some fruits or salad and top it off with some honey or cheese. If you are overindulgent on the weekend, you have several options to choose from what to make at home.

Limit The Calories

There is an inherent need to limit the number of calories you have every day. It will help you to stay healthy. You must have the ideal amount of snacks just to keep your stomach full. Having too much snacks in the evening can affect your intake for dinner. Snacks with a higher amount of fiber and proteins are ideal to fill your stomach.

You must avoid having carbonated and caffeine-based drinks. They will only increase your calorie intake for the day. As an alternative, you may have some fruits or fruit juices, without any added sweeteners. Packaged snacks usually have a higher amount of fats and sodium, thus are a high source of calories and are best avoided.

Smarter Snacking Is The Key

You must choose your snacks wisely, as it is the time when you are easily tempted to have whatever is available like packaged snacks and cold drinks. Instead, you must choose whole grain-based snacks that are more filling. If you do not have time to make something for the evening snacks, you can have what you had for breakfast. When making your breakfast, you only need to ensure you keep aside another serving for later.

You can also pack some nuts to work, which are ideal as evening snacks. Have a mix of almonds, cashews, peanuts and hazelnuts will also help improve your immunity. You must have your snacks by stopping whatever activity you are doing and enjoy it like having a small meal. Before stepping out for your commute, you must pack your snacks in a small box, as it will prevent you from visiting a nearby fast-food spot for something unhealthy.

7 Recipes for the Best Diet Snacks for a Healthier You

Snacks form an integral part of your daily intake and are also an ideal time when you are tempted to have something unhealthy. After all, you need to stay energized to finish your work for the day. Having healthy snacks help to keep your stomach full and prevents overeating. Are you aware of the healthy version of an afternoon menu? If not, we have listed out some for you.

Whole Wheat Muffins

Source food.ndtv.com

Muffins are a delicious snack and are nutritious as well. These ones are made from whole wheat instead of flour, that is rich in fiber and antioxidants along with; vitamins, minerals and proteins. The muffins are easy to make and can keep your stomach full for a long time.

Ingredients for the muffin:


  • ½ cup whole wheat atta
  • 1 ½ cups of wheat bran cereal
  • 1 cup non-fat milk
  • ½ cup maida
  • 1 spoon baking powder
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 spoon baking soda
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • ½ spoon vanilla extract
  • Salt – as needed
  • A few sprinkles of dark chocolate chips or raisins for every muffin.

For one cup of Apple Sauce:
  • 2 lemons – extract the juice
  • 4 apples - de-skinned and cut
  • Cinnamon – as needed
  • 1 spoon brown sugar

How to make:

For the Muffins:
  • Heat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius and keep the muffin cups greased.
  • The apple sauce can be made by stewing the apples along with the brown sugar, lime juice and cinnamon.
  • Wheat bran and milk must be mixed and keep it aside for ten minutes.
  • Take a large bowl and mix the brown sugar, egg, apple sauce, and vanilla and beat in the bran mixture we had set aside.
  • The whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt must be sifted together and stirred into the bran mixture while ensuring they blend well.
  • You may add some chocolate chips or raisins and scoop some of the mixture into each of the muffin cups.
  • Bake in the oven for around fifteen to twenty minutes.

For the Apple Sauce:
  • Put the apples and water in a saucepan and boil over low heat while occasionally stirring for 20 minutes.
  • Stir it with sugar and cook until it dissolves.
  • Add a few cinnamons, store it and refrigerate.

Besan Khandvi

It is a pure vegetarian Gujarati snack made from flour along with spices and Buttermilk. This nutritious dish is ideal during summer and keeps your body fresh. The aromatic seasoning makes you indulge in it quickly.

Ingredients:


  • 1 cup sour Buttermilk
  • ½ cup Gram Flour (besan)
  • ¼ spoon Turmeric Powder
  • Salt – as needed

For Seasoning:
  • ½ spoon Mustard Seeds
  • 2 spoons scraped coconut
  • 1-2 Green Chillies, finely chopped and seeded
  • ½ spoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1 spoon Sesame Seeds (til)
  • 10-15 Curry Leaves
  • Coriander Leaves, finely chopped – as needed
  • Cooking oil - as needed

How to make:


  • Mix the Buttermilk, turmeric powder, gram flour and salt in a large bowl and make a smooth batter.
  • Grease the large plate with cooking oil and keep aside.
  • Once done, pour batter into a kadai and cook on a low flame. Remember to keep stirring to avoid any lumps. Cook until it becomes thick.
  • Transfer some of the batter over previously-greased plate or thali and spread in a thin layer with a spatula. You will need a few thalis for this.
  • After cooling for some time, cut 2 inch wide strips using a knife. Then roll each piece and place them in a serving dish.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they start to crackle add the curry leaves, cumin seeds, and green chillies and cook for around 30-40 seconds. When the saute is ready, add the sesame seeds.
  • Once done, pour the seasoning over khandvi rolls.
  • Finally, you may sprinkle some shredded coconut and coriander leaves. Serve it some coriander chutney.

Idli Pasta

Source food.ndtv.com

Idli is a favourite snack for all of us. Can we make a subtle change and spring a surprise? Yes, we are referring to idli pasta, a new snack to tickle your taste buds in the afternoon. Made with tangy sauces and vegetables, you will surely like this one.

Ingredients:


  • 10 - 12 Idlis
  • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup capsicum, chopped
  • 1 cup onion, finely chopped
  • ½ spoon red chilli powder
  • 1 spoon rye
  • 1 green chilli, chopped
  • 1 red chilli, chopped
  • 1 spoon vinegar
  • Hing, as needed
  • 1 spoon soy sauce
  • 1 spoon jeera
  • 2 spoon pasta sauce
  • 1 spoon oil
  • Salt – as needed

How to make:


  • Cut the idlis into smaller pieces.
  • Boil oil in the pan and add rye, hing, jeera along with all the chopped vegetables to it and saute them well.
  • Next, add the chopped capsicum, tomatoes and onions. Also, add the red chilli powder along with some salt as needed and fry them well.
  • Add the chopped red chillies and green chillies. Also add the soy sauce, pasta sauce and vinegar while mixing them well.
  • Finally, add the small pieces of idlis and sauté it together. Make sure that the idlis are mixed well with the masala.
  • You can use some sev or coriander leaves for garnishing.

Moong Dal Ki Chaat

Chaat is primarily a North Indian snack, that is now enjoyed throughout the country. It can be prepared easily within a short time. Moong dal is nutritious, too and is rich in carbohydrates, fiber and proteins.

Ingredients:


  • 4 cup moong dal
  • 2 tomato, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 2 onion, chopped
  • ½ cup green mangoes, cut into small pieces
  • 2 capsicum
  • 2 spoons lemon juice
  • 2 spoon ginger paste
  • 2 spoons garlic paste
  • 2 spoons olive oil
  • Powdered salt – as needed

How to make:


  • First, chop the vegetables into small pieces and keep the, aside.
  • Cook the moong dal in a pressure cooker along with the adequate amount of water for 2 to 3 whistles. When it is done, keep it in a bowl.
  • Heat some oil in a pan on a medium flame. Add the garlic and ginger paste, the cooked moong dal and some salt and saute this mix for a minute.
  • Next, add the carrots, raw mangoes, onions and tomatoes into the pan and stir-fry for a minute.
  • Once it is cooked, switch off the heat, add lemon juice and mix it well.
  • Finally, garnish with lots of sev along with a few coriander leaves before serving.

Fresh Corn Bhel

Fresh corn is a nutritious food and is rich in Vitamin C, along with fibre, proteins, carbohydrates and folate. It can be used in salads or as a bhel too. A tangy snack with fresh corn as the main ingredient can add spice to your evenings.

Ingredients:


  • ½ cup potatoes, diced and boiled
  • ¼ cup sev
  • 2 spoons coriander, chopped
  • ½ cup onions, finely chopped
  • 2 cups corn, boiled
  • 2 spoons chutney
  • 2 spoons lemon juice – as needed for taste

For chutney:
  • 1 spoon garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup coriander leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 spoon chilli powder
  • 2 spoons sugar
  • 1 spoon tamarind paste
  • 1 spoon green chillies, finely chopped
  • Salt – As needed

How to make:


  • Add water to the chutney to dilute it to mix the dry mixture.
  • Mix the potatoes, onions, boiled corn, lemon juice coriander along with the chutney.
  • Before serving, sprinkle the sev and some coriander leaves on top.

Egg White Omelette

For all the health-conscious people, the egg white is one of the best things they can have. Having a delicious omelette with olive oil along with some veggies can be a great idea. This snack contains lots of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Ingredients:


  • 0.5 cup mix vegetables
  • 4 Egg whites
  • 15 grams Cheese
  • Olive oil, as needed

How to make


  • Boil some vegetables. Tomatoes, carrots, capsicum, onions and a few potatoes are few options.
  • Mix these boiled vegetables with the egg whites in a pan and cook using olive oil.
  • Once this is done, sprinkle the grated cheese.

Boiled Bean Salad with Peanuts

Salads are ideal for health freaks. It is rich in nutrients and is very fulfilling. This tasty salad along with roasted peanuts have the essential nutrients that rejuvenate your body after a hard day. Beans are known to burn fat while the fats in peanuts improve the metabolism rate.

Ingredients:


  • ½ cup paneer
  • ½ cup beans
  • 3 slices tomato
  • 2 spoon peanuts
  • 3 slices onion
  • Cooking oil – as needed

How to make:


  • Boil the beans and keep them aside.
  • Take a pan, pour oil and heat it. Then add the boiled beans along with the tomatoes and onion in the oil. Also, add the paneer.
  • Once it is cooked, add some lemon juice for taste.
From our editorial team

Note The Calorie Count Of Any Sauces You Add!

One thing many people are not aware of is that you can not lose weight just by making salads and grilling chicken. You can only lose or maintain your weight by creating a calorie deficit in your body. This means that counting the calories is as important as choosing healthy ingredients. Sometimes while adding some more 'taste' to your meals we end up adding hidden calories that are present in store-bought sauces like ketchup, mayo, oyster and honey- mustard. Not only do these mixtures contain extra calories but also unhealthy components like additional sugar or sodium, which can cause further health hazards!