9 Healthy snacks for satisfying food cravings
Guilt-free snacking can be a thing
Text: Bella Tan
Credit: Pexels
It’s easy to reach for the cheddar and truffle flavoured potato chips when you need a quick snack but those are laden with calories and have very high salt content, which can be detrimental to health. There are an abundance of healthful snacks on the market which are free from bad fats, high sugar and salt, so guilt -free snacking can actually be a thing.
1. Freeze-Dried Blueberries by LOOV, $39.98 for a 113g pack, available on Little Farm’s online store
Credit: Loov
Blueberries are superfoods high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, which helps prevent free radical damage and decrease the risk of developing cancer. In addition, this bag of juicy goodness is freeze-dried for longer shelf life, and it does not contain any sugar or artificial ingredients. We also like the fact that LOOV specially handpicks these wild blueberries from European organic forests.
2. Nut snacks - Geisha, $8.90 for a 150g pot, available on Little Farm’s online store
Credit: Little farms
Little Green Kitchen is a homegrown cooking studio and food consultancy founded by former lawyer turned chef Shalu Asnai. After starting out with healthy cooking classes, private dining sessions and customised meal plans, Shalu has decided to venture into new territory. This has culminated in the fruits of her labour, Geisha flavoured Nut Snacks, which packs a sweet, aromatic and earthy punch with an assortment of nuts, vanilla essence, sea salt, maple syrup and matcha powder.
3. Kale Chips Sour Cream & Chive by TAKE ROOT, $8.50 for a 60g, available on Cold Storage’s online store
Credit: Take Root
If I ever pass by the nearest supermarket, I will definitely stock up on TAKE ROOT's Kale Chips with Sour Cream and Chive – a classic flavour with a twist. Looking for a healthy snack? This bag of crisps is air-fried and contains 0% trans fat, 0% cholesterol, no MSG, no preservatives, no added oil and no added sugar. By buying one of these pesticide-free snacks, you are helping to support the small, local farming community in the Philippines.
4. Crispy Beetroot with Himalayan Rock Salt by To be Honest, $5.90 for a 50g pack, available on Chip Thrill’s online store
Credit: Chip Thrill
Based in India, To be Honest believes in using 100% real vegetables. The Crispy Beetroot snacks comprises only 3 ingredients, namely Beetroot, Rice Bran Oil and Himalayan Sea Salt and no other preservatives, true to the company's mantra. Unlike traditional cooking methods, the vacuum-cooking method aids in preserving the nutritional value of the vegetable. Moreover, these savoury chips are certified halal, vegan, gluten-free and contain no MSG.
5. Cheese flavoured Broccoli Puffs by Temole, $5.48 for a 56g pack, available on Little Farm’s online store
Credit: Little Farms
Broccoli has traditionally been seen as a polarising vegetable – either you are repulsed by it or you love it. Reminiscent of The Powerpuff Girls' Beat Your Greens episode, where the Powerpuff Girls pour copious amounts of cheese on broccoli to get fussy children to eat them, Temole has invented their own version. I am pretty neutral when it comes to broccoli, but this sounds like a delicious combination – can't wait to try it.
6. Crispy Strawberry by Greenday, $4.85 a pack(25g), available on Shopee Online
Credit: Shopee
Don't you love how these strawberries look so luscious and ripe on the packaging? This snack is one of the best-selling healthy snacks on Shopee and it's not difficult to see why – GMO-free, fat-free, gluten-free and only a tiny dose of sugar. It is freeze-dried as well, which helps extend the product's shelf life to 18 months. The best part? One packet is only 100 calories, perfect for a guilt-free snacking experience.
7. Dark chocolate flavoured Popped Sorghum by Zenko Superfoods, $3.50 a pack, from Zenko’s Superfoods official website
Credit: Zenko
Compared to white chocolate and milk chocolate, which contain a lot more sugar and milk, dark chocolate is a much healthier choice. These popped sorghum seeds are coated with a chewy layer of dark chocolate, perfect for movie marathon sessions when you feel like munching on popcorn. This non-GMO, plant-based, low-calorie snack which contains less than 140 kcals a pack, also has a low glycaemic index to make you feel sated for longer periods.
8. Salted Gula Melaka Granola by Amazing Graze, $9.90 for a 250g pack, from Amazing Grace’s official website
Credit: Amazing Graze
To cater to local tastebuds, Amazing Graze has formulated their very own special Salted Gula Melaka Granola, a strong contender to their Banana Bread Granola. Made from rolled oats, almonds, cashews, flaxseeds, coconut and a drizzle of homemade Gula Melaka, it is so good that you can either eat it on its own or add a cup of milk for a hearty and wholesome breakfast. Pop it in the oven for a few minutes for an extra crunch.
9. Green Curry Flavoured Lovely Mushroom Chips by Confetti, $8.50 per packet, available on Confetti’s official website
Credit: Confetti
Confetti's philosophy of 'upcycling ugly vegetables' to reduce food wastage is truly commendable. In addition, they regularly collaborate with NGOs worldwide to deliver their snacks to impoverished nations – that's why we should support them. So get your green curry fix with this local snack brand featuring a unique flavour profile which promises to take you on a decadent culinary experience.
With these healthy snacks that do not compromise quality or flavour, you can (figuratively) have your cake and eat it!
