Site search













-

Some easy ideas for healthy snacks

publication date: May 31, 2011
 | 
author/source: Signe Johansen
Download Print
Confession-time: I eat with gluttonous joy during exams. Under the auspices of feeding the brain I hoover up everything in sight - cheese, veggies, fruit, dark chocolate, nuts, crackers. The trick is to scoff a balanced assortment of stuff, not crisps, milk chocolate, energy bars or anything too processed or artificial. Below are a few tips for simple snacks to see you through a mid-morning elevenses or afternoon slump during exam-time.

Oat crackers are a great base for making mini open-sandwiches (see right):

- a slice of cheddar and tomato topped with black pepper

- mustard, bit of pesto, sliced avocado, lemon juice and black pepper

- peanut butter and a sprinkling of salt (If you like an American-style peanut butter and jelly style of snack, add a spoonful of jam with a high fruit content. Dalfour make great ones that have no caster sugar in them. Honey's also good with peanut butter, as is banana...)

Marmite's also great on oat crackers, with a slice of cucumber

Other ideas:

- nuts - almonds, pecans, walnuts, even the humble peanut (technically a legume but whatever) macademias, cashews - plain or roasted. If you have a sweet tooth try tossing the nuts in a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar a pinch of salt and oil to coat the nuts. Delicious! Also great in your breakfast cereal or porridge.

- couple of small squares of dark (70% or more) chocolate - great for boosting your mood and giving a bit of a caffeine/sugar kick

- a small piece of dark chocolatey brownie with yogurt and some berries (a real indulgent treat, save for when you're really struggling with calculus, stats or some beastly social theory)

- plain yogurt and some seasonal fruit or berries

- smoothie of choice

- scrambled or boiled egg (great source of nutrients and protein)

- cup of vegetable bouillon. Sounds odd, but sometimes you crave a bit of salt, and Marigold makes a great powder you dilute with water. Great alongside those oat crackers...

- anything fishy, the oilier the better - not to everyone's taste but this is real brain food

Basically try to stick to wholegrains, fresh produce, a bit of protein and avoid TOO MUCH SUGAR! The occasional brownie or ice cream isn't going to destory your revision, but refined sugar can make you very hyperactive followed by a precipitous decline in energy and mood. Avoid too much sugar before bedtime - it can really affect your sleeping habits and make you anxious. Stick to fruit sugar, honey, agave syrup and brown sugar if possible and avoid artificial sweeteners.


 

If you've enjoyed this article why not visit the Beyond Baked Beans page on Facebook where you can contribute your own tips and recipes.