Guilt Free Snacks

Celery with peanut butter 

This is a classic, easy to make snack.  It’s fresh, delicious, low carb and guilt free.  Scoop about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter on a couple of pieces of celery and enjoy a healthy snack with good fats, protein, essential vitamins and minerals. By adding some raisins, blueberries or slices of banana a fruity taste twist is guaranteed.

Cucumber sub

If you're conscious about their carb intake, this is a refreshing and smart snack. Cut a cucumber in half lengthwise and de-seed it. Use each side as a base to fill with some healthy sandwich fillings. Try tuna and cream cheese or turkey breast and avocado.  You can also add mustard and ham, or roast beef and antipasto.  Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin K and vitamin C and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Oatmeal overnight 

If you are organized enough to prepare it the night before this super easy snack idea is a fantastic treat.
Use a container and insert the following ingredients – 40 grams of dry rolled oats, 40 grams of Greek yoghurt, about 50ml of milk (or milk substitutes like almond milk or water) and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Chia seeds are a superfood, extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids which contain all of the essential amino acids to make it a complete protein. They also have other important nutrients such calcium, vitamin C, iron and potassium.

The next ingredients are totally up to you!  You can add honey and blueberries, apple and cinnamon, banana and peanut butter, raspberries and orange rind or raw cacao powder and walnuts.  Once you've finished adding ingredients, seal the container and put it in the fridge. Overnight, the chia seeds and oats will absorb the moisture and turn your creation into a delicious oatmeal pudding.

Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a fermented dairy product with a refreshing flavor that is high in calcium, protein and B vitamins. It is also low in carbohydrates, easy to digest, and is a great base for a variety of tasty, guilt-free snacks. Add berries, dried fruit, banana, nuts, honey, cinnamon or shredded coconut for a delicious snack. You can even stir through some of your favorite protein powder for an extra nutritional boost.

Protein bar
If you are looking for a snack that you can take with you while you’re on the go, check out the protein bars available at your local Health Food Store.  Many of them are available in delicious flavors like chocolate or strawberry cheesecake so they satisfy your sweet tooth, but they are high in fiber to help you feel fuller for longer. They also tend to be chewy, which gives your jaw a workout and makes you feel like you’ve eaten more than what you actually have.

When looking at the nutritional information of the packaging, make sure you choose products that are high in protein without containing too much sugar or fat and around 200 calories or less. Some protein bars can be up to 500 calories and these are more of a meal replacement.

Guest post by Justine Vari

Justine is an enthusiastic researcher and writer of health and fitness, with a keen interest in whole foods and optimum nutrition. She hopes to one day be a part of the movement that eradicates lifestyle-related diseases. For more posts from Justine visit: http://www.health.com.au/blog/.

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