Easy Healthy Snack Ideas

Finding the perfect balance between health and taste can be a challenge, especially when it comes to snacks. Snacks play a crucial role in maintaining energy levels throughout the day, providing essential nutrients, and satisfying those mid-meal cravings. In this blog post, we will explore a variety of easy and healthy snack ideas, incorporating both Indian and international dishes. Each recipe will include nutritional values to help you make informed choices.

1. Masala Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Spread the chickpeas on a baking sheet and pat dry with a paper towel.

3. Toss the chickpeas with olive oil and spices until evenly coated.

4. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until chickpeas are crispy.

5. Allow to cool before serving.

Nutritional Values (per 1/2 cup serving)

• Calories: 180

• Protein: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 27g

• Fiber: 7g

• Fat: 6g

  
  

2. Greek Yogurt and Fruit Parfait

Ingredients

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 tablespoons granola

Instructions

1. Layer Greek yogurt in a bowl or glass.

2. Add a layer of mixed berries.

3. Drizzle with honey.

4. Top with granola.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 250

• Protein: 15g

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Fiber: 5g

• Fat: 6g

  
  

3. Hummus and Vegetable Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 cup hummus (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cucumber, sliced into sticks

• 2 carrots, sliced into sticks

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into sticks

• 1 celery stalk, sliced into sticks

Instructions

1. Arrange vegetable sticks on a plate.

2. Serve with a bowl of hummus for dipping.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 200

• Protein: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Fiber: 8g

• Fat: 8g

  
  

4. Avocado Toast

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 slices whole grain bread

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional toppings: cherry tomatoes, radishes, microgreens

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until golden brown.

2. Mash the avocado in a bowl with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread the mashed avocado on the toasted bread.

4. Add optional toppings if desired.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 300

• Protein: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Fiber: 10g

• Fat: 18g

  
  

5. Paneer Tikka Skewers

Ingredients

• 200g paneer, cut into cubes

• 1/2 cup yogurt

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

• Salt to taste

• Wooden skewers (soaked in water)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, and spices to create a marinade.

2. Add paneer cubes to the marinade and coat well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the grill or oven to 400°F (200°C).

4. Thread the marinated paneer cubes onto the skewers.

5. Grill or bake for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until paneer is golden and cooked through.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 220

• Protein: 15g

• Carbohydrates: 8g

• Fiber: 2g

• Fat: 15g

  
  

6. Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cucumber, diced

• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.

2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.

3. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well.

4. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 250

• Protein: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 28g

• Fiber: 5g

• Fat: 12g

  
  

7. Almond and Date Energy Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds

• 1 cup pitted dates

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a food processor, blend almonds until finely ground.

2. Add dates, cocoa powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Process until the mixture comes together.

3. Roll the mixture into small balls.

4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Values (per serving, 2 balls)

• Calories: 180

• Protein: 4g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fiber: 5g

• Fat: 10g

  
  

8. Moong Dal Chilla

Ingredients

• 1 cup moong dal (split green gram), soaked for 2-3 hours

• 1 green chili, chopped

• 1/2 inch ginger, chopped

• Salt to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

• Oil for cooking

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the soaked moong dal.

2. In a blender, combine moong dal, green chili, ginger, salt, and turmeric powder. Blend into a smooth batter.

3. Stir in cumin seeds and chopped cilantro.

4. Heat a non-stick pan and add a few drops of oil.

5. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a thin pancake.

6. Cook until golden brown on both sides, flipping carefully.

7. Serve hot with chutney or yogurt.

Nutritional Values (per chilla)

• Calories: 150

• Protein: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 22g

• Fiber: 6g

• Fat: 3g

  
  

9. Apple Slices with Peanut Butter

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple, sliced

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter

Instructions

1. Core and slice the apple into wedges.

2. Spread a small amount of peanut butter on each apple slice.

3. Arrange on a plate and serve.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 200

• Protein: 4g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Fiber: 6g

• Fat: 8g

  
  

10. Sprout Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed sprouts (mung beans, chickpeas, lentils)

• 1/2 cucumber, diced

• 1 tomato, diced

• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped

• 1 green chili, chopped (optional)

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine sprouts, cucumber, tomato, red onion, and green chili.

2. Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

3. Mix well and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 150

• Protein: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 25g

• Fiber: 8g

• Fat: 2g

  
  

11. Edamame with Sea Salt

Ingredients

• 1 cup edamame (young soybeans), in the pod

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the edamame.

2. Cook for 3-5 minutes until tender.

3. Drain and sprinkle with sea salt.

4. Serve warm or chilled.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 120

• Protein: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 9g

• Fiber: 4g

• Fat: 4g

  
  

12. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato, cut into thin fries

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread the fries on a baking sheet in a single layer.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and golden.

5. Serve hot.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 200

• Protein: 2g

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Fiber: 5g

• Fat: 7g

  
  

13. Raita with Cucumber and Mint

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain yogurt

• 1 cucumber, grated

• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, grated cucumber, and chopped mint leaves.

2. Add cumin powder and salt, mixing well.

3. Chill before serving.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 120

• Protein: 5g

• Carbohydrates: 10g

• Fiber: 1g

• Fat: 7g

  
  

14. Cottage Cheese with Pineapple

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned in juice)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese with pineapple chunks.

2. Serve chilled.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 160

• Protein: 14g

• Carbohydrates: 15g

• Fiber: 1g

• Fat: 5g

  
  

15. Poha (Flattened Rice) with Peas

Ingredients

• 1 cup poha (flattened rice), washed and drained

• 1/2 cup green peas

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 green chili, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 tablespoon oil

• Salt to taste

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.

2. When the seeds start to splutter, add chopped onions and green chili.

3. Sauté until onions are translucent.

4. Add green peas and turmeric powder, cooking for a few minutes.

5. Add washed poha and salt, mixing well.

6. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

7. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 180

• Protein: 5g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Fiber: 4g

• Fat: 5g

  
  

Conclusion

Healthy snacking doesn't have to be boring or complicated. With a mix of Indian and international dishes, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and textures while nourishing your body. These easy and healthy snack ideas are perfect for satisfying your cravings and keeping your energy levels up throughout the day. Each recipe provides a good balance of nutrients, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary needs. Whether you're at home, at work, or on the go, these snacks are sure to keep you satisfied and healthy.