A snack a day keeps a bad day away! That’s true, because when has snacking ever bored you? Whether you’re working, watching a movie, rotting in bed or going out, a perfect, healthy, low-calorie snack feels like the right amount of warmth for the New Year.
Smart snacking doesn’t have to be boring, and that’s what comes to mind when you think of healthy snacks. We get it, eating fruits and vegetables while watching a Hallmark movie can be sad. That’s why the art of enchanting your daily healthy snacks is just what you need this new year.
The new year requires fun, but it also requires the dedication to stay healthy. Yes, that last part may not be our favorite part, but staying healthy has never left the conversation. It’s all about finding a snack that makes you happy and is nutritious at the same time. Here are five delicious yet nutritious snacks to start the new year off right.
1. Cinnamon spiced popcorn
Who said popcorn can’t be healthy and fun? With a hint of the perfect cinnamon spice on top, air-popped popcorn can be your best movie companion. A cup of air-popped popcorn contains only 30 calories. If popcorn is made this healthy, I can see you refilling the bowl before the break!
A bucket of popcorn can be made more nutritious with the right spices, and pure cinnamon is the perfect choice. Quick and easy, you start with a low-calorie option, plain air-popped kernels. If you have a sweet tooth, a sprinkle of powdered sugar won’t hurt and will make your popcorn stick better than granulated sugar.
Although cinnamon is the main character, you can always add a mix of other fun spices, like nutmeg or salt, without adding any calories. A healthy, low-calorie popcorn is an underrated treat and a great option for a snack.
2. Cheese board
There is nothing more exciting than a chic cheese board combined with fun late-night gossip sessions with friends and family. Making a healthy, low-calorie cheese board is an art that can take some time to master. Although cheese boards traditionally don’t always contain the lowest calories, smart portion control makes them your next favorite healthy snack.
We start by choosing the right nutritious yet fun alternative to cheese: feta! Feta cheese is not only low in calories compared to many other cheeses, but is also rich in proteins and nutrients such as calcium and vitamin B. Because this is intended as a cheese board, our healthy, low-calorie feta can be easily combined with other soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese or ricotta.
The rule is to stay true to portion and serving control. This is why, for low-calorie meats, choosing thinly sliced turkey pepperoni can be a perfect addition to your cheese board. To add some color to your plate, we can add fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, such as apple slices, strawberries, carrots or peppers.
3. Stuffed mini avocados
If there’s one thing that remains a favorite no matter the time of year, it’s avocados! Avocados not only add a vibrant color to any meal, but are also rich in nutrients and fiber. Your guide to making avocados healthy and low-calorie is to preserve the right ones portion control when it comes to their fillings.
One of the popular fillings for avocados is a fresh, spicy salsa. Adding some juicy tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, lemon juice and light spices can make your table treats much more colorful and delicious. The blend of avocados and salsa not only delivers the richest nutrients in one go, but also provides a zesty flavor with just the right crunch.
4. Sweet potato chips
Celebrating the New Year isn’t complete without chips, and these light and fluffy, sweet, low-calorie chips are just the right snack. Not only are sweet potatoes rich in antioxidants and fiber, but they also have a naturally sweeter side that keeps you and your stomach fuller than regular potatoes!
How we turn these sweet potato chips into low-calorie snacks takes two steps. First, we make our healthy sweet potato chips by air frying or frying them, saving the extra fat from frying. Tossing our chips in a little drizzle of olive oil gives them extra nutrition and great taste!
Second, we check our portion control. Seasoned with the right amount of salt and light spices, our low-calorie sweet potato chips become an easy and healthy alternative. You can grab your sweet potato chips and a good game of Jenga, which might be the best combination ever.
5. Roasted chickpeas
A little spice and a nice cup of roasted, low-calorie, healthy chickpeas make the tastiest snack on our list. It sounds warm, delicious, healthy and above all: it is healthy! Chickpeas are probably the best low-calorie snack because they are not only rich in protein and fiber, but are also a better, crunchier alternative to packaged chips.
You can enjoy the crunchy, spicy, roasted chickpeas this season, but let’s break it down for you. You can start with the nice, light olive oil spray on the chickpeas. After you roast your chickpeas, you can play with some spices.
After tossing your roasted chickpeas with a creative blend of spices, you’re good to go. Grab a bowl, add your new healthy, crunchy snack and make your resolutions a reality!
Final thoughts
Healthy and smart snacking doesn’t have to be heavy. When we think of healthy, low-calorie foods, we can’t help but associate them with the most boring things around. But that’s not the truth! Healthy snacking can be made fun in the easiest ways possible. It’s just a game of making the right choice with low-calorie alternatives and a balanced portion size.
We hope this becomes your go-to list for satisfying your low-calorie snack cravings so you can reach your weight goals much faster. It’s always about happiness and health coexisting in the best possible way!
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