Crispy Crunchy Chewy Temptations

A Guide to Healthy Festive Snacking - Part 2

Snacking during the holiday season does not have to Sonly only mean overindulgence. In fact, healthy snacking can keep you energised, stabilise your blood sugar levels, and prevent overeating at large meals. The first step to maintaining healthy snacking habits is to stock your pantry and fridge with nutritious options. With so many tempting holiday treats around, it is important to make informed choices and select products which enable you to sinfully indulge in "junk foods," which can be pretty healthy if eaten in moderation. Here are some hints on how you can do so:

NUTS, DRIED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, OLIVES, SEAWEED

Although nuts are high in fat, they contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are also packed with essential nutrients, including fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. Nuts can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cholesterol levels.

Vegetable chips, such as kale, coconut, tomato, broccoli, etc., are generally low calorie, especially those made with new methods like Vacuum Frying (VF) or Vacuum-Dehydration (VD), where air is extracted from a closed chamber before cooking with oil. Due to the almost vacuum pressure, the oil reaches its boiling point at around 60°C and begins to dehydrate the produce. This lower heat means natural tastes, colours and nutrients are retained, while giving the chips an addictive crunch. This was how food for NASA astronauts is prepared and now we get to enjoy it!!!

Crispy chickpeas are also a great source of healthy nutrients, with nearly 15g of protein and a whopping 12g of fibre per cup (close to half the recommended daily dose of fibre). For something tangy, organic pitted kalamata olives are a good source of iron, calcium, copper, vitamins A and E, and oleic acid. They are great for improved heart health and cancer-fighting properties.