Even if you have filling meals regularly, you may need the odd snack to get you through the day, keep your energy up and ensure you’re completely satisfied.

It can be easy to reach for a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps, but these aren’t the healthiest options and will leave you feeling hungry again in no time.

Snacks

If you want to stay satisfied for longer but you don’t want to eat anything high in calories, it pays to be careful about what you snack on. We’ve got some great snack ideas that will fill you up, give you energy and won’t have you piling on the pounds. Read on to see what they are.

Houmous and carrot sticks

Houmous is low fat and high in protein, with just enough carbohydrates to ensure you stay full until your next meal. It is also incredibly delicious, especially when teamed with slightly sweet carrot sticks.

If you buy reduced fat houmous, there is minimal preparation to this snack, meaning it’s ideal for on the go. However, you can also make your own houmous simply by blending a can of drained chickpeas, a splash of lemon juice and olive oil.

Peanut butter dip and apples

Everyone knows that peanut butter is a great option for a snack due to its high protein content, but you can do more interesting things with it than simply eat it on toast.

Make a delicious and healthy dip by combining natural peanut butter, fat-free Greek yoghurt and some cinnamon. This is the perfect sweet treat, especially when you dip apple slices into it.

Kale chips

If you often find yourself reaching for a bag of potato chips, you’ll want something crunchy and easy to serve as a healthy alternative. Kale chips are the perfect choice, especially as they are low in calories and can be bagged up ready for when you’re on the go.

Simply rinse and blot dry your kale before removing the stalks. Tear the leaves into crisp-sized pieces and toss in a bowl with some olive oil, salt and paprika before laying out on a baking tray. Bake them in the oven until they are nice and crispy and then enjoy.

Roasted chickpeas

Another great option for on-the-go snacking is roasted chickpeas, which can also be bagged up. Chickpeas are chock full of protein, as well as fibre. They can also be eaten as a sweet or savoury snack depending on what you enjoy.

Once you’ve drained a tin of chickpeas, pop them on a baking tray and cook until crispy. You can top them with salt, honey, spices, or anything you fancy. Experiment with flavours and you’ll be able to satisfy all snacking urges.