Our new normal shouldn’t preclude us from eating healthily. The intermittent lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders are not necessarily the most encouraging conditions; after all, staying home all day means being tempted to eat and snack on whatever we want—especially since we’re just in the comforts of our home. But now more than ever we, need to be able to take care of our bodies, and a key element of that is finding healthier, better ways to satisfy our cravings. Here are some healthy snack alternatives we can go for while binge-watching our favorite Netflix shows.
Ketogenic ice cream
Have you ever craved for ice cream but cringed at the idea of how many calories you’re consuming? Keto ice cream provides better nutritional value because it contains no sugar, is made with MCT oil, gluten-free, and all-natural. Ketogenic ice cream can satisfy your craving for sweets without you having to worry about your blood sugar levels and how the dessert is harming your body.
Apple slices with almond or cookie butter
We all know that fruits are good for us—but actually eating them is another story, because they can often taste bland and just not the best. One way to combat this is by adding almond butter or cookie butter to your apple slices. Add them in moderation, though—the point is to add sweetness and flavor to your apples. The cookie or almond butter is just the side dish; they’re not the main snack.
Baked sweet potato chips
Every time you find yourself craving for Lays or Ruffles, opt for sweet potato chips instead. Dubbed a superfood, sweet potatoes are full of protein, potassium, and fiber. What you can do is slice them into thin cuts, add a dash of kosher salt, deep fry them in vegetable oil, and voila! You got yourself a healthier potato chip alternative.
Homemade smoothie
The best part about making your own smoothies is that you get to control what ingredients you add to the mix. Here are some smoothie combinations you can explore:
- Banana, almond milk, and protein
- Greens, sugar-free peanut butter, and coco sugar
- Apple, banana, cinnamon, cocoa sugar, oats, chia seeds, greens, and soy milk
- Spinach, kale, unsweetened almond milk, banana, almond butter, chia seeds, and honey
- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, coconut milk, and baby spinach
Making smoothies is a delicious and easy way to consume your fruits and vegetables, so gather all your favorite healthy, unsweetened foods and blend away.
Frozen yogurt
Frozen yogurt is another one of those desserts that you can add any naturally sweet toppings to, and it will still taste delicious. Find a sugar-free frozen yogurt in your local supermarket and consider adding the following topping combinations:
- Pears, cinnamon, honey, crushed walnuts
- Bananas, peanuts, and honey
- Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and almonds
- Granola, blueberries, and honey
Frozen yogurt with healthy toppings can be an excellent post-workout meal, so don’t deprive yourself of an energy boost by incorporating frozen yogurt into your diet.
Celery sticks with peanut butter
It may seem like a strange combination, but celery sticks actually go so well with peanut butter. If you find yourself craving something sweet, take it as an opportunity to add celery sticks into your snack time. Celery is filled with minerals and vitamins and has a low glycemic index, which means it has a slow and steady effect on your blood sugar levels.
Dates
Another option to satisfy your sweet cravings are dates or Medjool, which are tropical stone fruits native to Morocco. They are naturally sweet and sticky, soft dried without being dehydrated, allowing their sugars to become concentrated, making them even sweeter. Dates have many healthy nutrients like fiber, iron, potassium, copper, vitamin B6, and magnesium, making them the perfect healthy snack for those with a sweet tooth.
Edamame
“Edamame” is simply the Japanese word for boiled soybeans. These surprisingly yummy treats are packed with protein, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. These beans can be found in your local supermarket and only needs to be boiled before they are consumed. They are a great alternative for when you’re craving something salty.
No Shortage of Options
If you’re really committed to switching to a healthier diet, then don’t hesitate to try out these healthy snack alternatives. Experts from the drug treatment and rehabilitation community say that it can take anywhere from 18-254 days to form a new habit. There is an average of 66 days for new behaviors to come automatically. So challenge yourself to eat nothing but healthy snacks for at least 66 days and see just how much it can help curb your cravings.