Your Healthy Swap Guide- Eat This not That

At times when we feel hungry or have undefined cravings, our hand reaches to easily available, convenience foods and no doubt, we find popping chips or nachos better and tastier than grabbing a fruit or salad. Make your unhealthy snack options interesting by adding a touch of nutrition like adding guacamole or pesto to your sandwiches and salad, adding veggies to your nachos chat or simply by changing options like some mentioned below.

Here are some healthy alternatives to add to your sticky notes on your refrigerator door which can help you manage both cravings and weight better:

• Replace extra salty and spicy namkeens with masala roasted chanas

Roasted chanas are low in glycemic index which makes it a perfect snack for diabetics. High in sodium and fats, spicy and tangy packed namkeens only cause a rise in hypertension and obesity. While roasted chanas adds bulk to your diet and keeps you away from cravings.

• Replace sugar filled candies or rusks with nutty trail seeds mix

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are filling and rich in trace minerals which is essential for our bodies. Sugar filled candies or rusks can only add on empty calories and increase your sugar intake. Add handful of your favourite nuts and seeds to a small jar and place in the refrigerator or on your work/study/dining table. Nuts contain good fats that is, omega-3 fatty acids. Simply put half a teaspoon of ghee and a handful of roast chanas, you can store it for later use.

• Replace sweet, oversugary mithais with homemade dry fruit dates and fig Ladoo

Laddoos has always been a part of Indian traditional diet serving it the deity or making them on festivities. This sweet ball is rich in iron, fibre and protein. A super-healthy ladoo that is ready in less than 30 minutes. It combines essential nutrients and favorable ingredients like figs, dates, nuts, poppy seeds and coconut. The rich taste of ghee, cardamom and cinnamon imparts a flavour magical aroma to these ladoos.

Soak figs in hot water for few minutes, drain them and blend it along with dates. Add 2 tbsp of ghee, add the chopped nuts and toast. As they start changing color, add the ground figs and dates paste to it and mix well. After 10 minutes, the mixture will start following the ladle as you mix. Add the remaining 2 tablespoon ghee and desiccated coconut and keep stirring. After few minutes, when it is warm enough to touch, make ping-pong sized balls out of it. Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge.

• Replace Potato chips and French fires with roasted chickpeas

A rich in protein snack and a good source of fiber, roasted chickpeas are super healthy and low in calories which make it appropriate for a delicious indulgence. It is fulfilling and removes the possibility of snacking junk food when midday cravings come to disturb you. Simply soak overnight and dry roast with spices and your tasty snack is ready.

• Replace baked cookies and cakes with baked veggies

Pleasing to the eyes and beneficial to health, vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, they are full of flavor and colors. Just load some diced/ sliced veggies on a baking tray, season with little olive oil and sprinkle a dash of salt and pepper. Bake for few minutes and enjoy hot and crispy.

Over to you
Try these healthy swaps and let us know what benefits you the most. These amazingly healthy and wholesome options can give you variety, dose of nutrition and goodness of taste.