Top 10 Healthy Snacks

Wouldn’t it be nice to find healthy snacks within reach everywhere you go, including in your office space, at the vending machines, the deli, the airport and so on and so forth….
Well, that’s not really the case – at least not yet – but don’t panic, we have put together a list of 10 healthy snack options, both sweet and savory, that you can easily find or even prepare yourself.

What exactly qualifies as a healthy snack in the following list?
To the extent possible, anything which is full of energy, low in sugar and sodium, vegan, gluten free, unprocessed, light, free of artificial sweeteners and additives.
Rest assured such snacks can be delicious, tasty and packed with vitamins and nutrients.

ON THE SWEET SIDE

1-Fresh organic fruits
OK, you may have guessed this one. So yes, do snack on your favorite organic fruits (preferably whole, not chunked) such as apples, berries, bananas (yes bananas make a great snack when not too ripe as they are very filling and packed with essential vitamins such as potassium).
But keep in mind that fruits, as healthy as they can be, are also quite sugary! So try to avoid high glycemic index (GI) fruits (i.e. above 55 GI or so) such as mangos and overly ripe bananas, which will leave you feeling hungrier than before by kicking your insulin levels up.
Benefits: natural sweet boost + fibers + vitamins + antioxidants + anti-aging
Option: you can accompany a few slices of apple with a tablespoon of almond or coconut butter for extra protein, a dose of healthy fats and added yumminess!

2-Dark chocolate
Have a few squares of your favorite dark chocolate bar, preferably free of soy lecithin and with a minimum of 70% of cocoa content, for a sweet yet healthy treat that will give you an instant boost of energy.
Benefits: powerful antioxidant + nutrients (including iron and magnesium) + stamina & brain boost
BWB selection: Mast Brothers: has a wonderful selection of high quality dark chocolate bars, including cocoa nibs, almonds, or plain.
Alter Eco: try their deep dark sea salt and dark blackout fair trade dark chocolate bars . Dick Taylor .  Michel Cluizel

Coconut yogurts benefits:
daily probiotics + healthy fatty acids + sweet boost of energy

3-Raw vegan pudding or yogurt
• Chia pudding
Benefits: light + filling + packed with essential omega 3 fatty acids + good for sensitive tummy
DIY: so easy and quick to prepare…here is our divine crème de chia recipe
BWB selection: Chia Pods offer yummy, yet not too sugary, chia pudding options, including mango, banana and blueberry.
• Coconut yogurts
Benefits: daily probiotics + healthy fatty acids + sweet boost of energy
BWB selection: Organic Avenue makes a divine and healthy vegan vanilla coconut yogurt with all the probiotics of a regular yogurt: a must-have snack in your fridge!
• Healthy granola parfait
Benefits: guilt free sweet treat + fiber DIY: try our scrumptious Green Glam Granolove Parfait recipe
BWB selection: Le Pain Quotidien has a delicious Organic Banana Crunola.

4-Raw food Bars
Ideal for a quick boost of energy if you’re having a hectic day, or as a pre/post workout snack.
Benefits: quick energy boost
BWB selection: Mom’s Munchies: goji berry pistachio “on the go bars” and their almond + sea salt “choco-fit bars” are packed with delicious raw and all natural ingredients and are low in sugar.
Both Raw Crunch and Go Raw:  also have many options.

5-Smoothies
Green smoothies are always best…Prepare yourself or get it freshly blended at your favorite juice place for a morning/afternoon treat that will rehydrate you and satisfy your sweet tooth’s!
Benefits: hydrating + daily vitamins + nutrients + antioxidants + proteins (yes kale, spinach, collard greens etc. are packed with proteins!) vibrant + anti-aging
DIY: A good combination is spinach + almond milk + fresh coconut water + a banana (not too ripe and frozen for extra creaminess): yummy, creamy and will make you feel rehydrated. Here is a “green smoothie almond-colada” recipe.
BWB selection: If you don’t have time to prepare or buy a smoothie don’t worry there are powder options which you can keep in your draw, including vegan protein smoothies. Vega offers five different protein smoothie flavors:

ON THE MORE NEUTRAL OR SAVORY SIDE

Raw veggies benefits:
loaded with vitamins, nutrients, fibers, antioxidants, low in calories/sugar & a vibrant and anti-aging treat.

6-Raw veggies
Raw veggies always make for the perfect healthy snack and you have a wide variety of choice!
Benefits: loaded with vitamins +nutrients + fibers + antioxidants + low in calories/sugar + a vibrant and anti-aging treat
BWB selection: your favorite ones! Think carrots, celery, radish, cauliflower, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, you name it! Option: enjoy alone or accompanied by your favorite veggie dip.

7-Nuts and seeds
Feed your brain with nuts and seeds! They make a perfect, easy and healthy snack! Have a small handful of your favorite ones, ideally sprouted for optimal absorption. So delicious and easy to store in your draw!
Benefits: high in nutrients + vitamins + fiber + healthy essential fatty acids + proteins + boost your brain
BWB selection of delicious sprouted options: Go Raw  Nates Raw Harvest  Sunbiotics

8-Olives
Olives are an ideal light and satisfying snack that will temper your cravings!
Benefits: healthy fats + light
BWB selection: the ones you prefer, as long as they are not canned!

9-Veggies dips
A few scoops of hummus, guacamole, salsa or any other vegan dips are an instant craving neutralizer. Good-to-go by themselves, with raw veggies and/or crackers.
Benefits: fibers + nutrients + vitamins + very low in sugar
DIY: Try our yummy guacamole recipe
BWB selection: Very easy to find anywhere, including at Whole Foods Markets which have a plethora of choice of freshly made veggies dips such as hummus, guacamole and salsa

10-Kale chips
Kale chips are a perfect light alternative to regular chips! Easy to DIY or find on the shelves, opt for ones that are not too salty.
Benefits: light treat + vitamins + anti-craving
BWB selection: We particularly like Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale and Kale Krunch by Alive & Radiant Both have many flavor options, including sweet, cheesy, or spicy ones!

Well, with this list of healthy snack options you should be fully armed to get your healthy boost of energy + feel amazing while reducing your cravings…Enjoy!