Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic? 4 healthy snacks to satisfy your cravings while keeping the weight off
Sweet, salty, gooey and spicy snacks to get you through your workday as you self-isolate and work from home during the coronavirus outbreak
If you are working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, have you noticed you are snacking more often than you would if you were working in the office? With easy and frequent access to the pantry and fridge, your clothes may feel a lot more snug before the lockdown is over.
The good news is you can keep the weight off by snacking in moderation. In fact, snacking can still be a part of a healthy meal pattern by choosing foods with higher nutritional qualities. Making healthier snacks from scratch with wholesome ingredients, for example, is one option to stay healthier. Read on to learn how to create healthier snacks of various flavours and textures.
Sweet snack – frozen Greek yogurt
A slice of cake or brownie, or even a scoop of ice cream will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth, but why not go for something that is healthier and has more protein, such as a home-made frozen Greek yogurt? All you need is three ingredients: plain Greek yogurt, pure vanilla extract and a sweetener such as honey.
Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than the Swiss-style, also commonly known as stirred yogurt. Depending on the manufacturer, Greek yogurt is thickened by extracting the milk whey, adding milk solids and stabilisers or using a higher fat milk or cream. Generally speaking, all yogurts make an excellent snack for their calcium, B vitamins and protein. However, Greek yogurt has a slight advantage over other yogurt types for its higher protein content, with the amount ranging from 7 grams to 21 grams for every ¾ cup portion.
To create a creamy and fuller texture of frozen yogurt, use full fat Greek yogurt over reduced fat options. If you have a blender, you can also add fresh or frozen fruit, such as mangoes and mixed berries, to create an array of flavours.
Salty snack – baked kale chips
Getting tired of munching on potato crisps and popcorn, yet craving the crunch? Try making your own vegetable chips, such as baked kale chips, for a healthier twist. Kale is a low-calorie food that contains essential vitamins A, C and K, calcium and dietary fibre.