Healthy, sugar-free snack ideas
Naturally Sweet Products
Although many people obsess about letting too much fat creep into their diet, the real culprit may actually be sugar. It's pretty easy to find a fat-free product but it can be quite a challenge to find a food that has no sugar. Of course there the obvious sources, such as lollies, biscuits, baking and chocolate - but sugar also lurks in many unsuspecting food groups. Take bread for example. Many loaves available at your supermarket or from the local bakery are sweetened. The same goes for 'savoury' pasta sauces, table spreads and even salad dressings. Once you start looking out for it, you realise that sugar is in a high proportion of the food we eat. No wonder we get so addicted to sweet treats! It may be a good idea to try to aim to eat sugar free snacks when those mid-afternoon cravings roll around. This way you can ensure that at least one of your meals is sugar-free. Here are some ideas to get you started. Crackers and hummus Five to ten crackers and some natural hummus is a great way to satiate hunger. Chickpeas carry a lot of protein and the right crackers can be a great source of essential wholegrains. Organic peanut butter and low fat cheese Two small slices of low fat cheddar cheese with a thin slither of organic peanut butter - with no added salt or sugar - can be a good sugar free snack. Although it is quite high in fat, it is also high in energy, making it perfect for studying students or busy workers. As with all food, just remember - everything in moderation! A handful of mixed, raw nuts Nature has provided us with a range of delicious and nutritious nuts that are a great afternoon snack. Try to look for options that are raw, unsalted and unroasted, as this will limit your fat and sodium intake. Still craving something sweet? Try Stevia Do these ideas still not cut it? Thanks to Stevia, a sugar replacement, you don't have to give up sweet treats altogether. Simply swap out any sugar in your snacks with this plant extract - a completely natural product, it is free of aspartame and delicious to boot.
