Snacking healthy remains a challenge even for those committed to health and weight management.  While major meals are easy to manage in terms of nutrients and calories, snacks are the Achilles heels for most.  Adding to the woes, are a total lack of healthy snack options either at work place or on the roadside.
With a little bit of planning and ..yes, some hard work,  intelligent snacking can become a reality. Here are some ideas for those in between times.

Here are some quick snack fixes:

• Nuts especially almonds, walnuts and roasted peanuts are any day a healthier snack option compared to fries. Keep them in air tight container, preferably a glass jar in your office desk or in your car to munch away when hunger beckons

 

• Roasted gram (Channa) is a high protein high fiber snack to have. However you should stock up for a fortnight only

 

• You can very quickly make some roasted soyabean without using any oil at home, during a weekend. Just wash and soak soyabeans overnight.  Discard the water and keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 hours.  Remove and dry with a towel thoroughly. Dry roast them on a thick iron kadai till they pop.  You can also roast them in a microwave. Roasted soybean sprinkled with salt and dry herbs makes for a good snack to be consumed at your desk

 

• Microwave some fresh corn to make some oil free popcorn at home. Commercial popcorns are loaded with oil , butter and salt

 

• Replace the unhealthy drinks loaded with sugar and caffeine with tender coconut water or plain water with some lemon squeezed into it for flavour. Butter milk is also a healthy option. Healthy soups are better options in winters.

If you have the inclination and the time to prepare you can try the following:

 
• Dice an apple, a cucumber, a tomato any other fruit add some chat masala and pack it for office

 

• Oatmeal cookies are easy to make. Just mix oats, a few fresh dates, any good sugar substitute, rice bran oil, and skimmed milk powder for a very low calorie cookie

 

• Fresh green peas, or sprouts can be made tasty with chopped tomato, cucumber, carrot, lime juice, chat masala and salt to taste

 

• Take some roasted peanuts, roasted sesame seeds, channa, add chopped coriander, tomato, chopped green chillies and salt to taste if you like your snacks hot and spicy

 

• Roasted vegetable sticks make a perfect healthy afternoon snack. Julienne and peel 1 medium carrot, 1 small beet, 1/2 small sweet potato and brush with a drizzle of olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes. Cool and pack for the afternoon snacking. Cleaned and trimmed fresh broccoli or cauliflower florets or baby carrots are snacks that include antioxidant and immune-boosting properties

 

• Wash and scrub potatoes clean, pierce with fork drizzle with olive oil and bake. Eaten with the jacket, these potatoes are a highly nutritious snack

 

• Make your own flavored low fat yoghurt at home and deep freeze during weekends. Just set fresh curds from low fat milk. Hang the curd till all the water drains and it becomes thick.  Puree fruits of your choice (strawberries, or lichees, or apples, mangoes etc).  Add some fresh dates or prunes for sweetness.   Top with a few nuts for a tasty snack.  You can also make this a spicy one instead of sweet.   Chop and puree some fresh mint leaves and ginger.  Mix into the yoghurt and blend.  Top with chaat masala, salt, pepper and lemon juice

 

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