Healthy snack ideas are extremely helpful…in theory. The problem is that it feels as though the ones we actually want to eat take an awful lot of time and effort. A bag of chips is all ready to go, but even if all you want is celery sticks (you rare little snowflake), you need to make an effort. Even if it’s a small one, you still have to wash the veggie and cut it up. When all you want to do is grab something and flop back onto the couch, the smart options don’t typically appeal.
Not All Healthy Snack Ideas Make You Work
The good news is that the really good healthy snack ideas don’t make you work hard at all. Yes, some of them will require a touch of effort, but the good news is that you can do it all at once and have it ready for whenever you need it. That way, you still have your grab-and-go options, even if you were the one to have originally prepared them.
Low-Effort Healthy Snack Ideas to Keep You Munching for Weeks
The key to truly turning these healthy snack ideas into unbelievably convenient and easy options is to slip their prep into your regular everyday food prep. If you’re standing there, waiting for your dinner to cook in a pan, it doesn’t hurt to take a moment to slice up an apple, chop some veggies, or even drain and rinse a can of chickpeas. In those odd moments when you’re waiting for other things to happen in the kitchen, avoid just standing around and whip up the snacks you’ll have that week.
Even better, make a double batch and then place extra portions into your freezer. That way, you are covered for weeks to come. Taking a dish of what you made out of the freezer is even more convenient than running to the corner store!
Healthy Snack Ideas You Can Start Enjoying Today
The following are some great healthy snack ideas you can have ready today (and save for future healthy snacking), as well as tips to make them even more convenient.
Roasted Chickpeas
If you love healthy snack ideas that will let you continue to munch away while you watch a show, read a book, or just relax on the patio, then roasted chickpeas are your satisfying, fiber-packed option. You can flavor them however you want, whether you’re in the mood for spicy chili, or sweet or savory cinnamon options. You can even choose brighter flavors like lemon and herbs. You can pretty much dress them however you want. Even better, just slip the pan of chickpeas into the oven whenever you have it on for other reasons. Whether it’s after you bake a cake or a lasagna, if the oven’s already been on, toss the chickpeas in there. Convenient and energy-saving too!
Apple Chips
Apple chips sounds hard but absolutely isn’t. You don’t need a dehydrator to make them. Just use the crispest apples you can get your hands on – such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp, avoiding softer varieties like Delicious – and slice them exceptionally thinly before baking. Add a sprinkling of cinnamon and you don’t need any sweetener at all. The smell of them baking is worth it all on its own.
Stovetop Popcorn
That’s right, popcorn! If you want delicious popcorn that isn’t like the Styrofoam of an air-popper but isn’t the oily calorie-laden, not-quite-what-you-want microwave variety, then you will absolutely love popcorn made on your stove. All you need is a hot pan, a touch of hot healthy oil and popping corn. Suddenly, you have a new favorite snack that you can season however you want. Try salt and paprika for something different! Make it now but put some aside in a bag for the next day as well (just don’t seal it until it’s fully cooled, so it’ll stay crisp!)
Perfect Healthy Snack Ideas for a Sustainable Weight Loss Strategy
Not only are these healthy snack ideas all delicious, satisfying, easy, and can be made in advance so that they’re ready once you have the munchies, but they’re also perfect to suit a weight loss strategy that you’ll keep up over time. Sustainability means that you won’t start off on the right track and drop the habits once they seem like they’re too much work or just not appealing enough. Combine with an active lifestyle and your favorite best selling diet pills and you’re set.