Whenever possible, use gluten-free options. Individuals who suffer from Celiac disease can experience extreme symptoms due to their body's intolerance of gluten. However many people are unaware they have gluten sensitivities as their symptoms are often only mild, such as bloating and tiredness, which they often attribute to other causes.
According to some sources, 1 in 33 people suffer from Celiac disease, though some experts claim the real figure is much higher. According to osteopathic physician and author Dr Mercola, as many as 10% of people have some degree of gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
What's more, gluten-free breads and foods tend to be healthier and they allow for easier, more efficient digestion. This makes gluten-free foods more nutritious.
Healthy Snack Preparation
Healthy snacking is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, unhealthy snacks such as chips, candy bars and cookies tend to be easily accessible and there's little, if any, prep required. This makes these less-than-healthy foods more appealing to busy, on-the-go individuals.
Fruit smoothies are also great for snack time. Plus, they're easy to eat on the go! In fact, you don't even need to keep a supply of fresh fruits on-hand. Freeze a bit of fruit or buy frozen berries. Then, simply thaw and blend when it's time for a snack!
Pair your smoothie with some fresh fruits and veggies, dipped in yogurt or hummus.
Salads also make for a very healthy, easy-to-prepare snack.
Salads also make a great pack-and-go snack that you can take along to work or school. And you can use whatever you have on-hand, such as lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, even a bit of chicken or cheese. Preparing a pre-made salad at home can be a huge money saver too, as by comparison, salads can be quite expensive when purchased at the local restaurant or supermarket.
Salt Alternatives
Use Himalayan salt in recipes that call for salt as an ingredient.
The body does need salt to remain healthy and balanced, but table salt isn't the right type. Table salt has been chemically processed into sodium chloride. This is different from salt in its natural form and as a result, your body cannot use it properly. It requires a lot of water for your body to process sodium chloride. This results in imbalances that can cause or exacerbate serious health problems. It can also lead to dehydration.
Himalayan salt is pure and it has not been chemically processed, therefore, it maintains its beneficial attributes and components such as minerals. Himalayan salt, when consumed in small amounts, can serve to help promote healthy sleep patterns, cardiovascular health, healthy skin and an overall balance in your body chemistry, pH and fluids.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with ailments such as high blood pressure may need to avoid salt entirely, even Himalayan salt. Fortunately, there are a number of herbal alternatives to salt.
1. Garlic – Garlic is an extremely popular, flavorful seasoning. It's used in many regions of the world, from Europe to the Mediterranean to South America and beyond. It's extremely versatile, as it can be dried, sauteed, roasted or boiled. Garlic is a nice salt substitute or you can use it as a supplement to salt, thereby enabling you to maintain flavor without using quite as much salt.
2. Chives – The tiniest member of the onion family, chives are ideal for use in many dishes in place of salt. Chives are suitable for use in dishes with potato, salads or seafood recipes.
3. Basil – Basil is commonplace in many Italian dishes. It's also found in some forms of Asian cuisine. Basil is a great herb, which can be added to vegetable dishes either in its dried or fresh form.
4. Oregano – Oregano is most often found in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Spanish-Latin cuisine. It's frequently combined with basil for use on grilled poultry and vegetable dishes. Like basil, oregano is an herb that can be used dry or fresh.
5. Sage – Sage isn't just for your stuffing dishes! It's ideal for Italian recipes, meat and even soups.
6. Ginger – Well-known for its ability to soothe your digestive system, this strong, distinctive herb is commonly used in Asian recipes. It's suitable for use in meat dishes, veggies and soup.
No-Prep Snack Ideas
1. Nuts – Almonds and pistachios make for a great, very portable snack. A handful of nuts averages approximately 100 calories and they tend to be very filling too. High in protein and fiber, your blood sugar will remain constant too.
2. Hard-boiled eggs – High in protein, low in calories and fat, hard-boiled eggs are a great snack that stores well. They're also a great on-the-go breakfast item that's easy to make more appealing to children with a quick and simple egg dying project!
Another alternative: raw egg from a fresh, organic free-range hen. Dip a bit of bread in the raw egg or soft-boil and leave the yolk uncooked and runny.
3. Hummus – High in fiber and protein, Hummus is a dip made of chick peas and sesame paste or tahini. Eat it with a bit of pita bread or crackers. 2 teaspoons of on bread or crackers averages 100 calories.
For a gluten-free option, plus a serving of veggies, pair the hummus with vegetables such as celery or carrots.
4. Chocolate – If you're craving chocolate, try a bit of dark chocolate. Opt for a chocolate with a high cocoa percentage such as 70, 80 or 90%. The higher the percentage, the richer it tastes, and there's less sugar. Though be warned that high cocoa percentages can taste slightly bitter. Cocoa is high in antioxidants, but eat it in moderation!
5. Blueberries – A cup of blueberries has just 75 calories and like chocolate, they have lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your body's cells from free radicals and they can even reduce your risk of stroke and neuro-degenerative diseases.
6. Bananas – Bananas are high in potassium and a medium one packs just 100 calories. You can even pair banana slices with cheese slices or dip in yogurt.
7. Watermelon – Watermelons are very filling and low in calories, with only 100 in a medium watermelon! The high water content will help keep you hydrated too!
Gluten-Free Bread Recipes for Healthy Snacking
Gluten Free Bread Tips
When it's time to make up a sandwich, consider a healthy, gluten-free alternative. There are many gluten-free products such as flax seed or bean crackers and breads that are widely available at most grocery stores and health food supermarkets.
Party Snacks Basics: Five Super-Quick Party Snack Ideas
Is your party so impromptu that you have no time for even the speedy recipes featured in the Made in a Flash chapter ([>])? Then bust out these ultra-quick mixes and still the growling stomachs.
Mixed nuts: Toss together roasted unsalted or salted peanuts, cashews, and walnuts with a little spice mix of your own choosing. you like to add a hint of cayenne or black pepper to increase drink appetites; curry powder or chipotle chile powder is also good.
Quicker crudités: Serve up a platter of vegetables of your choice (carrots, celery, zucchini, endive, broccoli or cauliflower florets, green beans, cherry tomatoes) alongside ranch dressing to which you've added a little minced garlic and fresh lemon juice.
Super-speedy finger sandwiches: Slide a swath of mayo, mustard, or both, and a sprinkling of black pepper onto slices of bread. Top with any kind of cheese available and more slices of bread. Slice each sandwich into six pieces and spear with toothpicks.
Simple stackers: Spread out wheat crackers in a single layer on a platter. Top each with either a schmear of herbed cream cheese, or a small slice of cheese and half a cherry tomato.
Emergency snack mix: Fill four cocktail glasses with a lastsecond snack mix made of Goldfish, CornNuts, and peanuts. Got raisins or other dried fruit? Throw 'em in. If nothing else, it'll look classy in the glasses.