How often do you find yourself watching your favourite shows at 10pm and wishing you had something sweet to snack on, but are also refraining because you’re trying to lay off sugar for a little while? Or are craving your favourite savoury snack, but avoid them because you’re tired of feeling bloated and lethargic all the time?

Well, you’re in luck! Today, we’re sharing with you a few tips on how to keep a few yummy treats handy for when those cravings kick in. And the best part, all are free of any refined sugars, artificial flavourings and preservatives, so you can pretty much have as much as you want, and not worry one bit about feeling crappy afterwards!

Also, they couldn’t possibly be any easier to make! So, let’s get started.

If you your preference is savoury, here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

• Popcorn: Just be sure to get a brand with basic/bare minimum ingredients, ideally just the kernels. Cook them as you normally would to make popcorn and add your own flavour enhancers, such as salt, paprika, chipotle seasoning etc. This way you get to control what goes into it, and avoid less desirable ingredients such as excess sodium, seed oils or added flavourings.
• Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas: Another easy alternative to a bag of crisps! Just be sure to thoroughly dry the chickpeas to ensure maximum crunch, then coat with some oil, and season with your favourite flavour enhancers before roasting in the oven and allowing to cool completely before munching away.
• Flavoured Nuts & Seeds: If you’re one to roast almonds or pumpkin seeds, try adding a tiny bit of olive oil, salt and vinegar and enjoy as an alternative to your favourite Salt & Vinegar crisps. Not a fan of vinegar? Never mind, leave out the vinegar and substitute with alternative flavours of choice, or just simply olive oil and salt; maybe a pinch of black pepper for a little added kick!
• Salt & Vinegar Cucumber Chips: Quite possibly the best alternative to chips you can add to your weekly rotation! If it never occurred to you to roast your cucumbers, well think again! Simply slice up your cucumbers, pat them dry and season with salt, vinegar and garlic powder and toss to combine. Then place in a pre-heated oven to roast until completely dried out and allow to cool before serving. And if you’re wondering whether or not one can do this with other ingredients, such as beetroot, okra, sweet potatoes etc, the answer is yes! And feel free to play around with different flavours if desired.
• Edamame: Another favourite! I mean, how often do you order this snack at a restaurant? Well, now you can make it at home. Just buy a frozen pack, steam or blanch them, then drain and drizzle with some neutral or sesame oil, and flavour with salt and pepper, or even better, some garlic powder and chili crisp and enjoy!

Now, if you’re more of a sweet-tooth; then here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Frozen grapes & blueberries: And it really is as simple as that! Just be sure to pat them completely dry after washing, then transfer them to the freezer for a few hours or overnight. This transforms the fruit into a firm, sorbet-like texture (almost like an ice-lolly), making them a fun snack to enjoy when those sweet cravings hit. And yes, you can do this with other fruits as well – raspberries are another favourite, though not quite as sweet.
• Greek yogurt & honey bowl: If you find that a bowl of Greek yogurt, topped with fruits just doesn’t cut it, then drizzle on some honey for a little added sweetness. We recommend mixing it into the yogurt for a sweeter base and overall more enjoyable treat. Also, it never hurts to add some shaved dark chocolate or your favourite nut butter to the fruit toppings. This is meant to be a treat after all!
• Stuffed Dates: There really is nothing better than a stuffed date! Simply take out the seeds and fill with a generous dollop of your favourite nut butter, followed by a drizzle of melted dark chocolate. You can even opt for a 100% dark chocolate, because the dates are actually sweet enough, and the anti-inflammatory properties of the dark chocolate will make for an even healthier snack. Lastly, don’t forget to finish with a tiny pinch of coarse sea salt. Alternatively, fill the date with a thick slab of cold butter, topped with a pinch of salt and tell us that this does not taste even better than raw cookie dough!
• Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Because snacking really doesn’t get much easier than this. Simply melt your dark chocolate with a teaspoon of coconut oil, then dip your strawberries into it and leave to cool and harden in the fridge for a few hours before enjoying. Granted, this requires a tiny bit of patience, but it’s well worth it! And yes, you can do this with bananas as well if you prefer a sweeter fruit.
• Chia Seed Pudding: Another easy alternative that actually feels like a dessert. Simply soak the chia seeds in your liquid of choice and flavour with cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup, and top with berries, granola or chocolate shavings. Allow mixture to thicken in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, then enjoy when that sweet craving hits!

And great news guys, these recipes are now available on the app, so there really is no excuse to delay healthy snacking anymore! As you can see, there are endless options and possibilities, so start experimenting, and should any of you have recipes you’d like to share, please feel free to reach out!

New Snack recipes now available on the app.