Most of the time being spent at home because of quarantine, no daily routine, no exercises, and no physical activity for the body. Then we are probably addicted to snacks more. This puts more weight on our bodies and brings some serious health issues later. We are at home for the past 4 months, making us wonder when this will end. Thus, the stress factor comes into the picture.
Some because of stress and no physical activity have munched more without a clear picture of the calories they are taking to their body. In the present situation, most people opt for snacks with high sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Over time, if we eat too many of this snack, then naturally it will affect our health.
How we get addicted?
Of course, snacks form an integral part of a balanced meal, and so they need to be incorporated even in the most stringent of diets. Alternatively, it is the choice of what we eat for snacks that makes all the difference.
Wings, Chili, nachos, dips, cheese and crackers, chips, chocolates, and cookies will bring a smile to us when we see it. But it is not the healthiest choice for a magnificent party.
Cravings for junk affect everyone, especially during snack times. It is the urge to grab a bag of chips or indulge oneself will truly break down our will and definitely, we can’t help but give in to these unhealthy cravings.
The scientific reason being that the areas of our brain associated with memory and pleasure activate during a craving, making it very hard to resist. However, this can be taken care of if we shift to healthy food swaps.
It is easier to choose healthier foods, by changing just a few eating habits which will bring a lot of difference. It is a proven theory that healthy eating and being active can help you lose centimeters from around your waist and reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
So, if we change some simple everyday lifestyles we can go forward on a healthier track, without losing all the things we love. Another amazing thing is that we need not stop it, but just swap it. Just swap inside for outside, or an enormous meal for a small meal. Then these basic changes will make a lot of difference.
Added to it, the best thing is we can make them as we go about everyday life at work, at home, or even while out shopping.
Here are some go-to swaps, which are planned to make it satisfying and nutrient-rich, and tastes great.
Broccoli Florets with Low-Fat Dip
Ingredients
8 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves, 1 garlic glove finely chopped, salt and pepper.
Directions
Set a steamer basket in a saucepan with 2 inches of simmering water. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until crisp-tender, 5 minutes. Let cool completely. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Serve with broccoli.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
While stress snacking may be our first vice, stress baking is our close second.
We make the cookie dough from standard ingredients: flour, leavening, salt, sugar, butter, egg, & vanilla. It’s the ratios of those ingredients that make this recipe stand out from the rest. Mix 2 and 1/4 cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and cornstarch. Use 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of cornstarch in this recipe.
- Why cornstarch? Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra-soft consistency we all know and love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick.
Use melted butter in this chocolate chip cookie recipe.
- Why melted butter? Melted butter produces the chewiest cookies. It can, however, make your baked cookie greasy, so to make sure there is enough flour to avoid that from happening.
Fruit Smoothie
This naturally sweet treat satisfies every sweet tooth but also is a real immune booster, thanks to the antioxidants it contains. The base is economical frozen fruit, like wild blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. To that adding banana and plain Greek yogurt. Added to it, a handful of some greens like spinach or kale for an extra boost of nutrients and fiber, and also for weight loss.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fruit juice
- ½ cup yogurt
- 2 cups of frozen fruits
- 1 small banana
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend on high until they reach the desired consistency. Add a little more juice or a little more frozen fruit (or ice) as needed to get the desired consistency.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Make sure that always has a container with hard-boiled eggs handy in the fridge. These eggs have 13+ nutrients, including 6 grams of complete protein /per egg, vitamins A, D, and E, also B- vitamins, zinc, selenium, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Research shows that high-quality protein in eggs helps to scale back hunger and cravings resulting in reducing weight.
Pistachios
Studies show that roasted pistachios help to relieve stress. Also, 6 grams of protein per serving of roasted pistachios are considered a complete protein, like eggs, and other animal-based proteins.
This means they provide significant levels of all nine essential amino acids; the protein-building blocks our bodies rarely produce and need from food. Pistachios are one of the lowest-calorie nuts, with a one-ounce serving (about 49 pistachios) providing 160 calories, and they also provide several other essential nutrients like fiber, zinc, and B-vitamins.
There is no need to stay at home and not to the party. This heart-healthy idea offers you a better reason to go- blast your cooking and feel good about it at the same time! So, start exploring the kitchen and stay healthy and stay safe.
