Looking for thebest healthy snacksto fuel your energy?
You’re in luck.
The novel coronavirus crisis is changing consumer behavior, increasing the demand for vegan and vegetarian foods.
More and more consumers are going vegan or gluten-free.
Some are replacing their go-to snacks with healthier options that support immune function and gut health.
Others prefer keto- and paleo-friendly foods like grain-free snack puffs or egg white chips, notes Everyday Health.
With the rise in remote work, people are more open to trying new snacks.
They are also looking for ways to reduce waste and make more sustainable choices, reportsFood Processing.
It’s no secret thatsnacking can make or break your diet.
Your best bet is to opt for whole, unprocessed foods.
Make a habit out of reading the labels and reach for snacks that support your health goals.
Here are our top picks for 2021!
These microorganisms regulate every system in your body, including digestion, metabolism, and immune function.
They also have a major impact on brain health and mental well-being.
One way to keep your gut healthy is to snack on foods rich in probiotics.
Yogurt, kefir, and probiotic fruit bars are all great choices, says Everyday Health.
TheInstitute of Food Technologistsrecommends fermented foods, such as Chobani Complete yogurts.
you’re able to also snack on pickles or fermented vegetable chips.
Probiotic kefir, for example, isn’t just healthy but low in calories, too.
One cup has roughly 140 calories and a whopping 11 grams of protein, according toMyFoodData.
Just check that you choose sugar-free varieties.
Mix kefir with berries, mashed bananas, chia seeds, or oats for extra flavor and nutrition.
After all, there’s a reason why they’re used invegan burgersand other meat substitutes.
As Samantha Cassetty, RD told Everyday Health, “Few people eat enough veggies or pulses.”
The downside is that store-bought chickpea snacks are oftenhigh in sodiumand may contain artificial flavors.
Looking for a healthier alternative?
As a result, it makes the nutrients in food easier to digest and break down.
Store-bought versions may contain added sugar, excess sodium, preservatives, and other fillers.
The experts at Washington College recommend soaking the almonds in water overnight.
Strain them in the morning and then let them dry.
Rinse them, let them dry again, and repeat.Eat them immediatelyor roast them for extra crunchiness.
you might even turn them into sprouted almond flour oralmond milk, says Washington College.
Cashews, sunflower seeds, and other raw nuts or seeds can be sprouted, too.
But just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
The best healthy snacks are minimally processed or contain just one or two ingredients.
If you decide togo gluten-free, reach for whole foods.
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and meat are all gluten-free.
you might also snack on rice cakes, quinoa chips, or chickpea puffs.
double-check the label says “gluten-free,” especially if you have Celiac disease or wheat allergy.
Gluten itselfisn’t harmfulfor healthy people, notesHarvard Medical School.
Current evidence doesn’t support the purported benefits of going gluten-free.
Moreover, just 1% of the population has Celiac disease.
All in all, gluten-free foods are more or less healthy, depending on the ingredients used.
Plus, they may have lower levels of iron and other nutrients.
