Many people live with the idea that if they’re going to snack, they’re going to go all out and not pay attention to the amount of calories that they are consuming or how unhealthy their snack is. They’re already having a snack, so why bother eating something low fat? Many people are unaware that snacking can actually be healthy! Snacking doesn’t necessarily mean greasy, sugary, high-fat foods, but snacks can actually provide great health benefits. The next time you’re craving a snack, make it a healthy one!
Kale Chips make an excellent snack and they are loaded with health benefits. Kale is high in fiber, calcium, iron, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, but is low in calories and contains zero fat! Plus, kale is filled with antioxidants and helps to lower cholesterol levels. Another great benefit, especially for those dealing with back or neck pain, is that kale is an excellent anti-inflammatory.
Kale chips give you the excellent health benefits of eating raw kale but they double as a satisfying snack. To make your own, simply wash a big bunch of kale and tear the leaves from the stems. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray your baking sheet with cooking spray or coat with olive oil. Place kale leaves in a thin layer on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges are brown. Your kale chips will stay fresh in an airtight container for several days so snack on them throughout the week or whenever you have a craving for salty chips!
For those with a sweet tooth, frozen bananas dipped in dark chocolate can be the perfect healthy snack for you! This tasty combination is filled with potassium and antioxidants, so it’s a sweet treat that you won’t feel guilty about later. Plus, these treats can stay frozen in an airtight container for up to one week.
To make your frozen banana pops, cut two ripe bananas in half and place them on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for about 15 minutes. Next, melt about 6 oz. of dark chocolate and stir until smooth. If you also have a peanut butter craving, mix in a bit of natural peanut butter as well!
When the bananas come out of the freezer, coat them in the chocolate mixture and freeze for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate sets and is frozen. See, healthy snacking is easy and delicious!
If you’re looking for additional healthy snack ideas or are interested in nutritional counseling, contact Premier Health Chiropractors. We offer alternative healing methods so you and your family can feel your healthiest in a safe and natural way. Call us today and we will be glad to assist you.