Snacks most of the time are left until the last minute since we don't usually care what we put in our mouths during snack time and we just want to munch on something. But there's a way to make snack healthier.
Food swapping is actually a thing and these small replacements can make a huge difference to help you get a healthy snack that you and your family will love.
Instead of white bread, swap in whole-wheat bread
This is a swap you'll barely even notice . Whole grain bread is richer in nutrients and protein than white bread and also has 3 times more fiber per slice (compared to 0.7 grams in white bread, 2.2 grams of fiber in whole-wheat bread). In salads or cups, the same goes for other grains. Whenever possible select whole-wheat pastas. All of these changes will help you stick with the recommendation of keeping at least half of your grains whole grains in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Instead of croutons, swap in seeds or nuts
A crunchy topping elevates every salad. Swap with a healthier substitute filled with protein in nuts or seeds for a salad. There is more fiber, protein, and minerals in nuts and seeds than regular croutons. For one ounce of pumpkin seeds containing 5 milligrams of sodium, they are even smaller in sodium, compared with 200 milligrams of sodium for one ounce of plain croutons.
Instead of potato chips, swap in popcorn
By swapping out typical potato chips for popcorn, you can fulfill the crunch you crave, plus a tasty bonus. Most people may not know that popcorn is a whole grain, and is richer in fiber than potato chips.
Compared to a small bag of pure potato chips containing 149 calories, 1.7 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of fiber, one serving of popcorn, about 3 1/2 cups, provides nearly 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and just 110 calories.dPopcorn also has less sodium per serving, especially if you make your own popcorn from scratch than opting for salter or buttered microwave bags.
Instead of soda, swap in seltzer
Perhaps you crave carbonation as water has become so boring. Grab a seltzer instead of a soda next time. Seltzers leave out the added sugar and come in several special flavors and for an enhanced taste boost you can also add a splash of fruit juice for a natural sweetness or ice cubes with herbs. Some companies also have adorable cans that children enjoy. A perfect way to improve your overall health, remain hydrated, and even lose weight is to cut out sugar-sweetened drinks.
