Although sugary foods might seem like the easiest thing to reach for when looking for a snack between meals, they can quickly destroy all of your clean eating hard work. Instead opt to try some of these five clean eating snacks for a healthier fill.
No bake bars
There are lots of combinations you can try out for these bars, the only constant ingredient is pitted dates to help bind the mixture together. Throw some nuts and (if you wish) seeds into a food processor until they are broken up. Add in some medjool dates and any other dried fruit you want and blend again until the mixture holds together on its own. Then in a square container, press the mixture down into a compact layer, aiming for around 1.5cm thickness. Put the container into the fridge and leave overnight or until it’s set. Then cut the mixture into bars and wrap them up individually. If some of these no bake bars are residing in your fridge, it will soon become second nature to pick one up as a snack as if it were a chocolate bar.
Peanut butter popcorn
It’s no secret that plain air popped popcorn is a great low calorie snack but if you are looking for a little more flavour, try adding peanut butter into the mix. For a snack, popcorn is also a really good form of dietary fibre and the addition of peanut butter will provide protein and good fats. The snack requires hardly any preparation, just make your required amount of popcorn in an air popper, melt the peanut butter in the microwave and then drizzle over the corn and toss evenly to coat. You could also sprinkle on some salt for a sweet and salty combination or alternatively leave the salt out completely for a sweeter taste.
Apple chips
Keep the doctor away and get your daily apple fix with these easy to make chips. The snacks can be served alone or sprinkled with cinnamon or other spice to taste if desired. To make them, core the apple and thinly slice it horizontally so that the rings resemble something of the shape of chips. If you are flavouring the chips then sprinkle the spice over the apples once you have laid them out on a baking tray. Proceed to bake the apple chips for one hour or longer at 160o C (320o F). Turn them over halfway through the cooking time. Once you are happy with the texture, turn the oven off but leave the chips in to crisp up while the oven is cooling if you wish. If you want softer and chewier apple chips then don’t cut them as thinly or cook them for as long as stated here.
Oatmeal date cookies
All you need to make these delicious cookies is three ingredients: two ripe bananas, five pitted medjool dates and 180 grams (2 cups) of rolled oats/gluten free rolled oats. And the fact that these cookies take only 30 minutes to both prepare and cook only makes them more appealing. In a mixing bowl, mash together the bananas until they are smooth. Chop the dates into small pieces and throw them in the bowl with the banana. Add in the oats and mix all of the ingredients together. Scoop out the required size of mixture onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for around 16 minutes. The dates will bring a sweet flavour and slightly sticky texture, making them the perfect ingredient to include in the clean cookies.
Fruit ice pops
If it’s a hot day then ice cream is probably your go to snack. But make sure you are one step ahead of the game and stock up your freezer with some of these sweet, cold snacks so you have the perfect clean eating alternative. Make these fruit ice pops by chopping up any fruit you want to include in a bowl. Then stuff the fruit into the ice cream moulds and pour in some fruit juice (so that the liquid covers the fruit.) After that, push the sticks into the moulds and throw them into the freezer until solid. If you want your fruit pop to have smoother, more traditional ice lolly texture then blend together the fruit rather than leaving it in chunks. Fruit is full of vitamins and the endless fruit ice pop combinations you can make will be sure to give you a healthy sweet treat whether the sun is out or not.
