Smack the snack

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 21-Sep-2012

«
»
Snacking can be where the whole family, or the staff room, falls down when it comes to eating more healthily.
If you struggle with the temptation of unhealthy snacks such as chocolate, chips, lollies and soft drinks at work, when out at the shops or when you get home, some preparation can help you avoid temptation.

Some strategies for success:
• Limit unhealthy treats to once a week or fortnight. Try to avoid cafes and shops that stock those temptations. You could change the time of day you shop or the route you take walking home.
• Prepare snacks in advance.
• Always have a bottle of water on hand and keep well hydrated.
• Don’t carry money when you are out for a walk.
• Avoid or move quickly through those parts of the supermarket that you know are difficult.

Snack Ideas
A platter with fresh chopped seasonal fruit, plain unsalted nuts, and chopped vegetable sticks (carrot, cucumber, capsicum, celery) with a low fat dip like hummus or tzatziki. This type of snack won’t spoil your appetite either. Toast wholemeal crumpets and spread them with margarine or a Tick approved peanut butter.
Wrap banana, ricotta and sultanas in wholemeal lavash bread.
A dollop of low fat fruit yoghurt in a cup, topped with a little untoasted muesli.
These suggestions are from the Heart Foundation website, which is full of great healthy eating options for main meals, desserts and snacks.
Remember too, the proceeds from this year’s Bendigo’s Biggest Winner go to the Heart Foundation.

Here’s a recipe from the website:
Apricot and oat balls  
This healthier snack makes a great pick-me-up for afternoon tea.
Makes 16
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups (180g) Uncle Toby’s Traditional Oats or Multigrain Oats, toasted*
1 cup (150g) dried apricots
¼ cup (60mL) honey
30g canola or sunflower margarine, melted*

*Products available with the Heart Foundation Tick. Remember all fresh fruit and vegetables automatically qualify for the Tick.
Instructions
1. Place oats, apricots, honey and margarine in a food processor. Process for 2-3 minutes or until well combined.
2. Using wet hands, roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls.
The apricot and oat balls don’t need baking or refrigeration so you can eat straight away.
You can get more great recipes from www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes.

Comment





Captcha Image