Are you stuck for ideas what to eat come 3pm and keen to take your snacks up a nutritional notch? Why not add superfoods! We've put together five healthy snack suggestions that will not only satisfy your hunger and boost your mood and energy, but they’re also out-of-this-world delicious. Flaxseed crackers For a tiny seed, flaxseed packs a serious nutritional punch. It’s brimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which boost heart health, reduce sugar cravings and give skin that glow we all know and love. It’s also high in lignans, an antioxidant, as well as soluble and insoluble fibre. In other words, it’ll curb your appetite while reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Not bad, huh? Head to a health food store and stock up on flaxseed crackers, and enjoy them with a little avocado or goat’s cheese when the afternoon munchies hit. Nori chips Savoury lovers, this one’s for you. Nori is the thin, edible seaweed that’s used to wrap sushi, but that’s not all it’s good for. When you’re feeling peckish, treat yourself to some nori chips! They’re easy to make: just shred nori sheets, then brush them with oil and sprinkle on some sea salt and your favourite spices. Pop them into the oven and bake for 15 minutes until crispy. Yum! As for the superfood factor, nori is high in iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, fibre and vitamins A and C. It’s also a great anti-inflammatory, so eat up. Fruit and nuts When it comes to snack combinations, this one is an oldie but a goodie. Next time you need a snack to sustain you between meals, reach for a small handful of low-GI fruit and nuts. To reap a whole bunch of health benefits, opt for blueberries or pomegranate – they’re both bursting with fibre and antioxidants, so they’ll fill you up while combating inflammation, improving mood and memory, and enhancing your skin. Thanks to their protein and good fat content, nuts help the body to release energy slowly – meaning you won’t fall victim to the 3pm slump. Hummus How good is hummus? Made with chickpeas and olive oil, it not only satisfies hunger and boosts energy, but it’s oh-so-moreish. We can’t get enough of the spread. Get your healthy hummus fix by whipping up your version using lemon juice and natural Greek yoghurt for a hit of protein, potassium, calcium, iodine and the all-important probiotics. Skip the pita chips, and dip cut-up carrot and cucumber sticks into your hummus instead for a balanced snack you’ll love! Superfood bars Like their little sister, bliss balls, superfood bars are nutrient-dense and delicious, making them the perfect snack to tide you over til lunchtime or dinnertime. They’re available at health food stores and most supermarkets (or you can make your own), and usually contain a mix of dried fruit, nuts and superfood ingredients for sustained energy. At GMB HQ, we keep BSKT’s Vegan Superfood Bars in our drawers for snacking purposes. There’s a range of flavours to choose from, but for summer, we have two favourites. The Maqui Ripe bar boasts macqui berry (a purple superfruit from Chile) and a ton of antioxidants, and the Maca Espresso contains organic coffee and maca, a superfood root vegetable. And PS. It’s known to lift libido… What are your favourite healthy snacks? For more tips on how to sneak superfoods into your diet, click here.
