The average person gets approximately one-quarter of their total calories from snacks each day.  Snacks and treats can have a significant impact on your health because they make up such a large portion of your diet. Healthy snacks can help you avoid eating less healthy foods.

Planning ahead for your day by preparing healthy snacks  helps you ditch the guilt, so healthy treats are readily available when hunger strikes. This strategy prevents you from getting too hungry and having junk food as your only option. There are several benefits to making your own healthy homemade treats, from better taste to better finances! Below are the top five and our two favourite healthy treat recipes. Enjoy!

Homemade Treats Will Save You Money

The cost of store-bought healthy treats can add up.  When you buy snacks at the store, you pay a lot more than the actual cost of the food. Making homemade treats can cost anywhere from 10 cents to just over a dollar for an entire batch! You can also share when you make a delicious healthy treat and soon you’ll notice your colleagues take a greater interest in their health too.

Healthier Ingredients

Many commercially prepared foods are high in fat, salt, and sugar. When we prepare our own food, we know exactly which ingredients and how much of each is going into our food. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or GMOs.

Avoid Food Allergies and Sensitivities 

Making treats at home allows you control over what you are eating. You can choose healthy ingredients and avoid allergens that affect your family. When you prepare your own treats, you know exactly what is going in the mix.

Portion Control is Available

Each year, plates become larger, and “normal” portions double in size. This makes it more difficult to eyeball proper servings of caloric fare of treats. By making your own homemade treats, you can outsmart your snack habit by pre-portioning everything.

The Taste is Better

There are a great variety of foods that taste better homemade. You will not find a snack food item that can compare with your own good cooking. Homemade treats have a fulfilling taste that won’t leave you starving.

What you eat between meals matters more than you think. It’s easy to forget about snacks on food prep day because you are focusing on prepping meals. However, snacks are just as important so don’t leave them out. You will thank yourself during the week when you open the refrigerator for an afternoon snack.

At Azulfit, we strive to provide experiences to help people reflect and heal. Not only do we offer beautiful and peaceful retreats, but we include everything you need to restart your life and body. Our retreats include yoga, mediation, Pilates, massages, and delicious vegetarian food. Find delicious, healthy, and nutritious recipes on our blog.

Recipes

Jo’s Carob Brownies (Gluten Free, Vegan)​

Makes 10 brownies

• 200g date puree
• 150g almond flour (or almonds ground in a blender)
• 10g rice flour
• 50g carob powder
• 1 tbsp agave syrup
• A pinch vanilla powder or essence
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ tsp baking soda and a squeeze of lemon
• A handful chopped almonds

Beetroot Chips with Rosemary and Cumin

Ingredients:
2 medium beetroot, rinsed and scrubbed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1-2 sprigs rosemary, roughly chopped
1 tsp cumin powder

Method:
• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C and prepare two baking trays with baking paper.
• Cut the beetroot as thin as possible, using a mandolin or handheld slicer. Place in a mixing bowl.
• Combine the remaining ingredients, stirring well, then pour over the beetroot slices. Mix well to ensure they are all coated.
• Place the beetroot slices evenly and separated on the baking trays. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy. They can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them for the last 5 minutes.
• Store in an airtight container out of the fridge.

Makes a small bowlful.

We hope to see you on one of our upcoming retreats soon and in the meanwhile, enjoy Truly Healthy, Truly Delicious Snacking – with none of the guilt!