Feeling hungry and it is not meal time yet? It is best to munch on some healthy snack which is low in calories and fat. Whether you are dieting or not, it is good to be aware of the calories you consume. Snacks which are high in calories and low in nutrients should be avoided. Instead go for low fat snacks.
It has been advised to eat small meals and snacks frequently rather than consuming 2 to 3 heavy meals. This was the body is energized throughout the day and this also boosts the body’s metabolism. Therefore the snacks taken should be healthy and low fat.
There are plenty of options to choose from the many healthy snacks recipes available now days. Some of the low calorie and low fat snack recipes are as under:
1. Orange Sunshine Smoothie:
Ingredients: Half cup of orange juice, one-fourth cup of low fat yogurt, few cubes of ice.
Directions: Put all the above ingredients in a blender and blend for a minute till it all mixes. Pour in a glass and sip this healthy snack drink.
2. Vegetable Dip:
Ingredients: one-fourth cup sweet onions finely chopped, one-fourth cup cucumbers finely chopped, one-fourth cup green bell peppers finely chopped, one-fourth cup radishes finely chopped, 2 tablespoons of parsley finely chopped, 2 cups low fat yogurt, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Mix all the above ingredients together and chill in the fridge. This can be eaten as a dip for some vegetable like carrots.
3. Vegetable Delight:
Ingredients: Carrot cut in strips, broccoli florets, asparagus tenders, snow peas with strings removed, green peas trimmed, cauliflower florets.
Directions: Blanch the above ingredients in boiling water with little salt. After few minutes, strain and dip in cold water. Drain and pat dry. It can be eaten then or chilled and served. This is a low calorie snack recipe and tasty too.
4. Baked French Fries:
Ingredients: 1 big Potatoes, half tablespoon of olive oil, salt and paprika for sprinkling.
Directions: Preheat oven. Peel and cut potatoes into long slices. Put these slices in cold water for a while and then drain. Pat dry with a paper towel and lay them out on baking sheet. Spread the olive oil on the potatoes and bake till the potatoes turn crisp and golden. Take out the potatoes and sprinkle with salt and paprika. This is a much healthier version of the deep fried French fries!
5. Salad Mix:
Ingredients: One-fourth cup chopped cucumber, one-fourth cup chopped carrots, one-fourth cup chopped tomato, one-fourth cup bell peppers, salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Mix the above ingredients and enjoy this low fat snack recipe.
6. Oatmeal:
Ingredients: Half cup oatmeal, half cup low fat milk, half teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
Directions: Mix all these and keep in fridge. Can top with a few raisins or berries for a yummy healthy snack.
7. Fruit Mix:
Ingredients: Chopped pieces of any 2-3 fruits you like half cup low fat yogurt.
Directions: Layer your fruits with yogurt and enjoy this low calorie snack. You can drizzle it with some honey if you like.
Above are some of the low calories snack recipes. You can invent one yourself by experimenting. Other healthy ways to snack on are munching on apple slices, watermelon, cottage cheese and drinking fruit juices.