It’s not a joke. The pandemic has put a stop to all that was dear to us – socializing, eating out, traveling and gymming to count a few things. When everyone’s normal day-to-day workout routine is put to a halt and all we can do is binge watch tv shows and eat 999 snacks per day, the ultimate result is bound to be a larger waistline. Here are 10 snacking options that are healthy and will help you keep the measuring tape right where it is. These healthy snacks will ensure that when you finally step on the weighing scale, it won’t hurt so bad!
Table of Contents
1) Coconut Chips
Coconuts are full of good-for-you fats that have multiple benefits. These days, coconut chips are all the rage and have slowly but surely entered our lives. Coconut chips from By Nature come in two variants – Classic Coconut Chips and Chocolate Coconut Chips. As addictive these might be, try not to finish a pack in one go as coconut chips are high in calories. Exercise portion control while munching on these.
You can add some coconut chips to your post-home-workout smoothie as garnishing or to salads to increase the crunchiness. If these don’t appeal to you, just nibble on some when you are craving a mid-morning snack.
2) Jowar Puffs
Move over, refined flour. Jowar puffs are here to make snacking healthy. Great millet or Sorghum (Jowar) is credited with a lot of health benefits including digestive health and it’s fiber content. The Healthy Cravings Co – Jowar Puffs are roasted and come in three different flavors – Herb and sundried tomatoes, Indian spices and Cheddar cheese. These puffs are made with millets and are definitely healthier alternatives to the usual maida-based snacks available in the market. Plus, they are vegan and gluten-free.
3) Energy & Protein Bars
Most energy bars are meant to be eaten as a post or pre-workout snack. We tried Gouri’s Natural Energy Bars (Palm Jaggery & Honey) which contains oats, flaxseeds, almonds, cornflakes, honey, palm jaggery, jumbo oats, sesame seeds, oat bran, and amaranth. It has no added sugar, no preservatives. All the ingredients used are natural. This energy bar is gluten and wheat-free. A single energy bar (35 grams) provides about 160 Kcal of energy.
4) Ragi Khakra
Khakras have been a hot favorite when it comes to snacking. Now, the humble khakras have taken a healthy turn by using millet flours like ragi (Finger millet). Nutty Yogi Ragi Punch Khakra is low on sodium content and is baked.
5) Almond Butter
Fitjars California Almond Butter is unsweetened and unsalted. This almond butter is 100% natural and definitely healthy in comparison to other spreads. It is gluten and lactose-free. Nut-based butter gives a natural boost of protein and add lots of healthy fats into your diet.
6) Bajra Cookies
Eggless Bajra-Jaggery Cookies by Whole Foods boast off a list of healthy ingredients including bajra (pearl millet), coconut and jaggery. Unlike most cookies available in the market that are loaded with low-quality fats, these are made using rice bran oil. You must be thinking ‘it’s so healthy, must be tasteless!’. Well, you’re mistaken. These cookies are delicious and gluten-free.
7) Diet Popcorn
POP! POP! POP! The sound of popcorn getting made in the kitchen and the aroma that fills the house as if it’s a movie theatre is beautiful. But, the copious amount of butter that is added, kind of kills the whole day’s hard work. Act II’s range of diet popcorn is here to solve that. Act II brings three versions of diet popcorns – Olive Oil Diet Popcorn, Regular Diet Popcorn, and Less-Salt Diet Popcorn. So pop some popcorn and sit back and enjoy a classic movie with your fam-jam!
8) Sattu Cardamom Biscuits
Sunfeast’s Sattu Cardamom Biscuits are super delicious and perfectly balanced. The sugar is not too overpowering and the mild fragrance of cardamom just makes it even more palatable. It is a protein-rich biscuit made from roasted Bengal gram (Sattu). It has no refined flour and no cholesterol. Sunfeast’s Sattu Cardamom Biscuits are also available with a different packaging labeled as ‘Protein Power’.
9) Roasted Snacks
Whole Foods Chana Malai Roasted Snack is perfect for those mid-day salty cravings. Most packaged foods have a long list of preservatives and additives that all seem overwhelming. This healthy snack uses flattened chana as the key ingredient and rice bran oil as a cooking medium.
10) Unsweetened Peanut Butter
Pintola Unsweetened All Natural Peanut Butter contains just ONE INGREDIENT – Peanuts! It has no added sugar, is gluten-free and vegan friendly. Peanut butter provides you with healthy fats. Add it to your morning smoothie, eat it with apple slices in the morning or just eat it raw. Pintola’s unsweetened crunchy and chunky peanut butter is perfect for the health-conscious people.
What are you munching on during the lockdown? Let us know in the comment box below.
Disclaimer – This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any dietary changes.
About The Author
Nishtha Asrani Sethi, born and brought up in Delhi, is a content writer who has previously worked with NDTV and Resolver. Her roots are deep within the food industry, thanks to her family business and a keen interest in contemporary food products. Nishtha loves to serve her articles with a side of humor. Her Bachelor’s degree in Home Science comes in handy while researching the science behind the food. When she is not trying to win a battle of fries vs fruit with her daughter, she is busy experimenting with her huge joint family with crazy recipes.