healthy snacks

For delicious chocolate-dipped watermelon, click here.

dark chocolate

• decreases LDL
• May lower blood pressure
• boosts serotonin and endorphins
• contains calcium
• contains magnesium
• contains potassium
• contains iron
• tastes lovely
• increases blood flow to brain
• Antioxidants

Healthy snacks to keep you going
between meals

Healthy snacks can help stave off hunger. You should not have to give up snacks to be healthy.  A nice glass of fruit water to drink and nuritious snacks to eat helps curb hunger pangs through the day. The right snacks also can lower your ldl ("bad cholesterol") and raise your hdl ("good cholesterol").  

If my friends are having a cookie or a cupcake, I have figured out that I can eat my own snacks of fruit or nuts and be just as happy with no sugar high.

Healthy snacking while eating          
to lower cholesterol

Healthy snacks

• Lightly salted or unsalted nuts
• dark chocolate - a few squares, not a whole candy bar
• frozen grapes
• kale chips (see recipe)
• Spinach and strawberry salad with 1 spoonful balsamic vinegar
• trail mix made with chopped or whole almonds mixed with small chunks of dark chocolate and chopped dates or raisins
• homemade applesauce with no sugar added
• sprouted grain toast spread with a honey cinnamon mixture
• sprouted grain toast spread with or dipped pure maple syrup (I use grade B)
• fried plantain with or without maple syrup drizzled on top
• fruit 
• frozen grapes
• smoothiesicles
• strawberries dipped in melted dark chocolate
• boiled or poached egg with sea salt
• a handful of crunchy granola
• dates stuffed with almonds or other fruit and nuts.

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yummy plantains

Plantains make a healthy snack or a great side dish with a sandwich or a meal.

Plantains are nutritious. They contain:

• dietary fiber
• vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6

     Plantains have more calories than bananas but they also have more potassium. 
     They can be made into tasty chips. Slice them thin and fry or bake.
     They must be cooked before using if they are green.  
     The  plantain in the picture above was totally black before I peeled it and fried it in a            little coconut oil. Very tasty!

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chocolate

The chocolate you eat should be at least 60% cacao. Sugar should never be the first ingredient listed.  The less sugar, the better anything is for you.  I love Ritter Sport bar dark chocolate with hazelnuts.  I make sure to only eat a few squares a day.  One of my children used to be able to make a piece of candy (like a small sucker) last all day.  I make that Ritter chocolate bar last for two days or even three.

If you make a small amount of trail mix including almonds, dark chocolate and a couple of chopped date, you can carry in in a small container or plastic bag when you go out. With trail mix in your pocket, you aren't tempted to get something unhealthy to eat.

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honey, fruits, nuts and smoothiesicles

honey and cinnamon are said to help prevent blockages in blood vessels and to lower cholesterol.  It is one of my favorite snacks, because it is sweet.  It replace those cup cakes I love but shouldn't eat.

Nuts are such a nutritional snack.  I try to eat a handful everyday.  I buy unsalted when I can find them.  Walnuts, pecans, almonds....there are so many delicious nuts.

fruit is a great snack.  Berries are excellent.  I don't eat bananas as a snack, but oranges, apples, berries, peaches, plums...

Salad is great anytime of day.  I used to snack on a bowl of cereal, but now it is a bowl of salad.

"Smoothiesicle" is what i call frozen smoothie. It is like a popsicle made of smoothie. I usually freeze them in ice trays but you can use a popsicle mold. You want to make sure not to eat other foods when you are eating fruits or smoothiesicles. Fruit digests best on when eaten alone.

honey and cinnamon

• may reduce cholesterol
• can relieve stomach gas
• kills influenza germs
• good for fatigue
• bad breath remedy
• Make a tea by mixing and adding water 
• cure skin infections
• might even lose weight

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cinnamon honey tea

Make cinnamon honey tea:  Boil water.  Pour 1 cup over a mixture 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey in a cup.  Drink in the morning and in the evening. 

What's in the candy dish