On diet? No worries! Try these healthy sweet snacks

Bhubaneswar: Strict diet keeping you from snacking on something sweet? Worry no more for we’ve jotted down some healthier alternatives for you and they are sweet, healthy and low on calories.

Lately, rising cases of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardio-vascular complications have compelled people to switch to a healthier lifestyle and clean eating plays a major role in the process.  When on diet, a person generally avoids food and beverages that are sugary, processed  and unhealthy. But, sometimes, you just can’t help but gorge on some sweet snack or dessert and end up with unwanted calories.

Well, here’s good news. You may occasionally relish on some sweet snacks without eating unhealthy because here’s a list of some healthy sweet snacks for you:

 

        Dark Chocolate

 

 

A bar of dark chocolate is loaded with anti-oxidants and plant-based chemicals called flavanols that protect a person’s heart. If you’re not a fan of the slightly bitter taste, you could try letting a piece of it melt slowly in your mouth, instead of chewing it.

 

         Dates

 

Dates constitute a good deal of natural sugar.  They are often used in recipes as sweeteners. They are generally dried with chewy and sticky texture. Dates are rich in vitamin B6, fiber and minerals like potassium and manganese. Hence, they serve as one of the healthiest sweet snacks. However, diabetic people may seek their doctors’ advice on how many dates their bodies allow them to eat.

 

       Apple and nut butter

 

 

Craving for a some rich creamy chocolate but also don’t want those extra calories? Try apple slices with nut butter. It’s simple, really! Just slice an apple into some pieces, dip them in some nut butter and take a bite. It would be quite delightful.

 

            Fresh fruits

 

Fruits are natural sources of healthy sugar. Apart from nourishing a person’s body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, fresh fruits like watermelon and cherries also help keep them hydrated.

 

         Banana split

 

You may prepare your healthy banana split at home without adding ice-cream to it. Start with peeling some ripe bananas off. Slice them lengthwise and plate your healthy sundae-like snack with a scoop of low-fat frozen yogurt and unsalted nuts. This version of banana split is not just delightful but also gives your body some protein, probiotics and calcium.  Potassium and fatty acids contents in the snack  keep your heart healthy.

 

      Apple chips

 

There would hardly be someone who won’t be a fan of chips and wafers. But, when you chose a work on your body weight, you are compelled to part ways with your favourite packet of chips. But, here’s a healthier alternative. Apple is a wonder-fruit for a person’s health. If you’re craving for some sweet and crispy , yet a healthy snack, apple chips might turn out to be your new favourite.  Slice an apple into thin pieces, lightly grease the pieces, sprinkle some apple pie spice and bake for about an hour. Once the chips are died and cooled, they are ready for you to munch on.

 

     Greek Yogurt

 

Yogurt is rich in probiotics and is wonderful for a person’s gut health. To add a flavor, you may stir some cinnamon into your yogurt bowl and your calcium and probiotics-rich sweet dessert is ready to serve.

 

         Fruit smoothies

 

You could make your own healthy and tasty fruit smoothie at home. To one cup of skimmed or unsweetened plant-based milk, add one cup of fresh or frozen fruit and some plain Greek yogurt.  Blend for about 30 seconds and your share of refreshing, sweet and healthy fruit smoothie is ready to be gulped.

 

        Frozen peas

 

Green peas are a good source of zinc, vitamins C and E. They are rich in fiber and also contain antioxidants that keep a person’s immune system healthy and running. Frozen peas are crunchy and lightly sweet. Snacking on a handful of those would keep one full for quite some time.

 

    Sweet Potatoes

 

Sweet potatoes are abundant sources of vitamins A, B6 and C. They may be consumed after being boiled or, could be baked or micro-waved and served with some maple syrup or yogurt toppings.  One may also prepare healthy and crispy sweet potato chips at home by cutting thin slices of the root vegetable, brushing them with olive oil and baking them for about 10-15 minutes.

 

There are few other healthier alternatives of sweet snacking. However, people with kidney, heart and lungs issues or certain other comorbidities, must consult with their doctors before adding any of the above snacks into their diet.