Healthy Snack Recipes

When you are serious about your weight, calorie intake, and nutrition, healthy snack recipes are what you are looking for. These recipes will not only provide an alternative to the higher calorie snacks like chips, cakes, and pies, but they will also delight your taste buds and even help you to feel better about having a snack.

What are Healthy Recipes?

What does it mean when a snack is labeled as healthy? The following are some determining factors for a treat that is good for you.

• Low in calories
• Low in salt
• Low in sugar
• Low in saturated fat
• High in vitamins or proteins

Healthy Snack Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Don't think that just because you want to watch your waistline, your children don't need to be healthy about what they snack on. Adults and children of all ages will benefit from snacks that give energy as opposed to making them feel sluggish while munching in front of the TV.

Ingredients for Granola Bars

• 3 cups of rolled cooking oats
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 cups of dried cranberries
• 1 cup of flaked coconut
• 1 cup of slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons of safflower oil
• 3 tablespoons of honey

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Spread onto a greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 200 degrees F. for 1 hour or until top is golden brown. Stir twice with a wooden spoon during baking.
4. Cool after removing from the oven and cut into squares.

Simple Trail Mix

In a large plastic container, mix an equal amount of the following:

• Raisins
• Walnuts, pecans or almonds
• Dried fruit--cranberries, apples, peaches
• Toasted sunflower seeds

Store the trail mix in the container. Add chocolate chips for variety. Dried banana chips can be tossed into the mixture as well.

Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Dip

• 2 cups of low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon of dried dill
• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/3 cup of low-fat ranch salad dressing

Directions

1. In a blender, blend together all ingredients until smooth.
2. Serve with wheat crackers or sliced carrot and celery sticks.

Hummus

For another dip that can be served with pita wedges, hummus, made with chickpeas, is high in fiber and low in saturated fat.

• 2/3 cup of dried chickpeas or garbanzos, soaked in water overnight so that they are soft
• 3 cups of water
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sliced green (spring) onion
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons of chopped green onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of ground curry

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the chickpeas, water, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially and simmer until the beans are tender. This will take about an hour.
4. Drain and discard the bay leaves but keep the garlic and 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
5. Using a food processor or blender, combine the chickpeas, cooked garlic, olive oil, 3/4 cup green onion, vinegar, cilantro, cumin, curry, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
6. Puree the mixture. Add the reserved cooking liquid, a little at a time. Soon the mixture will look like a thick spread.
7. In a small bowl, stir together the chickpea mixture and the remaining 2 tablespoons green onion.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
9. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Buying Healthy Snacks

Making your own healthy snack recipes are ideal because you are in control of what goes into the treat. When you shop at stores for healthy snacks, be sure to read labels. Check to see the following contents in the products you buy.

• Sodium
• Sugar
• Fat
• Carbohydrate