It’s Crunch Time

Healthy snacks that will satisfy your cravings.

As spring is getting into swing your mind may already be wondering to the next season – or more specifically, its wardrobe. A spring diet makes a summer body, and we all want to feel healthy and confident in our summer clothes.

It’s certainly a great time of year to “clean up” and for many of us that includes a little (or a lot) of tweaks to get our eating plans back in line after hibernation-induced winter indulgences.

Healthy foods are delicious, but it can still be hard cutting back and cutting out some of your not-so-slimming favorites. I often hear feedback that one of the most difficult snacks to give up are the crunchy ones, like crackers and chips.

I know we’re all visualizing the same aisle of the grocery store right now.

There’s something comforting about the crunch, but I have news for you – there are healthy, just as satisfying snack options! Here are a handful of my favorites to help you kick off a healthy season of snacking and succeeding.

The Healthy Crunch You Crave

Fruits and vegetables are the usual suspects to reach for when you want a healthy snack, but I often hear that crunching on them plain just doesn’t always do the trick to stop daydreaming about those salty snacks.

It’s time to get creative!

For a snack that feels fancy, but is so easy to make, simply slice up an apple and roll the slices in toasted flax. You may enjoy it just like that, but for those wanting a spicy kick, add cinnamon or cayenne to mix.

Another go-to of mine is flaxseed crackers. That’s right, crackers, and you can even make them at home.

You’ll need:

– Olive oil spray
– 1 cup Cold Milled Flax Seeds
– ½ cup vegetable broth
– 4 tsp All-Purpose Seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 275°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
3. Add the broth and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir the mixture with a fork until the seeds start sticking together, about 5 minutes.
5. Spoon the mixture onto a lined cookie sheet and cover with wax paper.
6. Using a rolling pin, or drinking glass, roll the mixture flat and out towards the edge of the cookie sheet; remove and discard the top wax paper.
7. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours, until crackers lift off the cookie sheet and crack apart easily.

I know you’re going to love them!

Jicama sticks are another flavorful, healthy crunch that require very little preparation. Just peel and slice 1 medium jicama and place in a bowl. Then toss with the juice of two limes and 1 teaspoon of cayenne, paprika, or chili powder.

Next, I have a health-friendly “pickle” recipe that can be eaten plain if you’re a pickle fanatic, or paired with a dinner menu. In a medium bowl, place 8 speared cucumbers and add 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 clove of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons of fresh dill, and a dash of turmeric. Next, cover and set in the fridge for six hours.

So delicious!

Finally, let’s “indulge” in chips! Yam chips, that is. Yum!

Here’s the recipe:

– 2 small yams, cut into 1/8-inch slices
– ½ teaspoon dried basil
– ½ teaspoon dried oregano
– ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a self-sealing plastic bag, place yam slices, herbs, and onion powder. Shake to coat.
3. Place the yams on a nonstick baking sheet sprayed with olive oil.
4. Bake for 45 minutes or until yam slices are slightly golden and crispy, making sure to turn at least once during the cooking process.
Note: Please keep a close eye on these, as they can burn.

Make crunch time a springboard for achieving your best body, ever – with plenty of fabulous fiber to take the lid off cravings and fill you up with no regrets!!