Pecking between meals usually has a bad reputation, as there are those who say that it threatens the figure and a balanced diet. However, things are not as simple as they make it out to be. It is true that if we eat the wrong foods between meals, we will easily gain extra kilos or health problems, but it all depends on what ingredients we choose and the quantity.
Many nutritionists approve of eating small, healthy snacks between meals, as this speeds up your metabolism, keeps you satiated, and recharges your energy. You don’t have to think about it much more, we invite you to try these 15 easy and healthy appetizers, perfect for your parties and celebrations.
Granola: sugar-free homemade granola
Granola is a delicious food that provides a lot of energy and valuable nutrients to the body such as:
• Fiber
• Healthy fats
• Protein
• Minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc)
• B complex vitamins
• Simple sugars
• Complex carbohydrates
This healthy snack consists simply of the combination of cereals, seeds, dehydrated fruits, nuts, sweeteners and oil. If you consume a handful of granola daily, you can take advantage of its benefits, among which are:
• Control cholesterol
• Take care of the heart
• Combat constipation
• It is beneficial for diabetics
• Produces satiety and provides energy.
Although there are many versions of granola on the market (classic, gluten-free, for vegans, with protein and low in sugar), it is best to prepare your own homemade version, to your liking, so here are 2 infallible recipes: homemade granola sugar-free (for people on a diet, diabetics and vegans) and fit homemade granola.
Chia and cocoa pudding
Traditionally, puddings are exquisite desserts that delight us even if they are not particularly healthy, since they contain a lot of sugar, eggs or cream. However, we suggest a cold snack of healthy pudding. This may contain fruits, vegetable milk, seeds and some natural sweetener.
This recipe is presented as a food alternative to kill cravings, surprise your guests and complement food. Healthy puddings provide many nutrients, contain few ingredients, require no cooking and are very easy to prepare. Having said that, here we propose this nutritious and exquisite chia and cocoa pudding.
Flourless crumbles: vegan apple crumble
The crumble is a traditional British pastry and consists of fruit covered with coarse crumbs of raw dough, a preparation that is then baked. A crumble is made up of ingredients such as butter, flour, sugar and fruit (some recipes also add powdered almonds).
This versatile appetizer has evolved over time, so much so that there are now express versions (whose preparation does not require an oven) and healthy versions that will keep you slim. If it is a healthy crumble, the most common is to combine oats, nuts, spices and fruits. With this in mind, here is this vegan apple crumble recipe, a healthy and unforgettable appetizer!
Vinaigrettes and pickles: aborigines in vinaigrette
Vinaigrettes are excellent healthy snacks , as they satisfy hunger, provide natural probiotics, prevent constipation, detoxify the body, stimulate metabolism, improve digestion, curb the urge to consume sugar, boost bile production, protect the immune system, they fight bacteria, among other properties.
But these appetizers, in addition to being healthy, have a very rich flavor that combines with many foods (whole-grain crackers, whole-grain bread, salads, etc.). Without further ado, I invite you to try this recipe for aborigines with vinaigrette that is delicious and preparing it is very easy.
Tip: You should not exceed their consumption, as they generally contain a lot of salt.
Fat Free Baked Eggplant Carrot Chips
The best way to eat chips is to prepare them at home, because the industrial version of these snacks, although it makes us feel like we are eating vegetables, actually contains a wide variety of additives, a lot of salt and unhealthy fats.
If you prepare homemade chips, do it in the oven and preferably with low-calorie vegetables (for example, zucchini, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, and artichoke, among others). If you want to consume high-calorie vegetables (such as potatoes, dried beans, beets, corn, peas, beans and chickpeas), do so in moderation, since in excess they can give you extra calories. Here are 2 great recipes: Baked Carrot Chips and Baked Eggplant Chips. Light and homemade snacks!
Raw vegetables: crudités with hummus
If you want a healthy, easy and very cheerful appetizer for parties, raw vegetables are for you. You will love that crunchy sound so characteristic when you taste them, the fresh and natural aroma they have and that colorful appearance that is so provocative. Definitely joyous food for the senses!
Crudités improve the immune system, stimulate liver functions (especially those with a somewhat bitter taste such as radishes, watercress, endives or artichokes), prevent constipation, improve digestion, provide important nutrients, have few calories, contain abundant potassium, detoxify the body, stimulate the functions of the kidneys, have powerful antioxidants, and keep cholesterol at bay, among other benefits.
I know that you can’t wait to prepare some crudités, so here is the recipe for crudités with hummus. A recipe for any occasion!
Turkey and cheese sandwich on whole grain bread
Although bread has a very bad reputation, it is an excellent healthy snack between meals, as long as the right one is chosen, consumed in moderation and filled or accompanied by beneficial ingredients for the body (no fat and no sugar). If you want to get the most out of it, consume it during the first hours of the day (until noon), because during that time you burn more energy.
If you eat bread properly, it gives you fiber, iron, folic acid, magnesium, potassium and B vitamins (B6 and B2), among other compounds. Thanks to these nutrients, your body benefits from properties such as: abundant energy, stable blood sugar levels, good intestinal transit, feeling of satiety, strengthening of the nervous system, greater ability to concentrate, delay in cellular aging and more. Incredible true?
Before preparing this exquisite turkey and cheese sandwich, carefully choose the most suitable bread for you, remember that there is a wide variety waiting for you.
Tip: Other healthy appetizers made with bread are toast and bruschetta.
Homemade no-bake energy bars
Energy bars are very popular among people who follow slimming diets or play sports. However, this food also has detractors who argue that it contains many sugars, artificial flavors and carbohydrates, making it unhealthy or inconvenient for a slimming diet.
Before drawing any conclusion, we must differentiate what type of energy bar would be the most appropriate to enjoy as light snacks, the main ones are:
• Energy bars for dietary regimens: they contain high protein content, but low fat and carbohydrates. Designed to calm hunger between meals during slimming diets.
• Energy bars for athletes or very active people: balanced content of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Intended to quickly restore lost energy.
Surely you already want to taste one of these bars but made with your own hands, so let’s go straight to reviewing this magnificent recipe for homemade energy bars without an oven.
Tip: This appetizer does not replace any of the meals of the day, nor should it be consumed in excess.
Healthy truffles: vegan energy balls
This food provides pure energy to your body, much like energy bars. However, the most notable difference between the two is in the portion: the balls are exactly one bite, no more, no less. On the other hand, the energy balls are also very similar to truffles, both in appearance and in the way they are prepared. These balls are very practical, since you can wrap them in baking paper or aluminum and take them out when you need them. Preparing these appetizers is very easy, find out here in our recipe for vegan energy balls.
Green or detox drinks: spinach, celery and apple juice, multivitamin.
The super popular green or detox juices are excellent between meals due to their high detoxifying power, valuable nutrients and how easy it is to digest them.
Dare to prepare this recipe for spinach, celery and apple multivitamin juice. And if you want an interesting idea to vary the presentation of this juice, I suggest you turn your detox juice into a refreshing detox ice cream Popsicle.
Tip: These juices are high in oxalic acid, which can cause kidney stones, so don’t overdo it.
Pomegranate smoothie
This type of shake is perfect as an appetizer between meals, as it reduces anxiety, detoxifies, facilitates muscle regeneration, rehydrates, provides a lot of energy and increases our consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Smoothies contain the following ingredients: a liquid dairy or fruit base, fruits or vegetables, and extra ingredients such as spices, seeds, and nuts, among others. The best way to get hooked on this appetizer is by trying the pomegranate smoothie. A healthy treat!
Lemon yogurt
If you want a healthy and easy snack, yogurt is an ideal food, especially in its skimmed version. This probiotic drink provides the body with a greater amount of nutrients compared to other dairy products, protects the bacterial flora of the intestine, accelerates metabolism, reduces the possibility of suffering from respiratory diseases, has antioxidant properties, and produces satiety and more.
In addition, yogurt is very versatile in the kitchen, as it goes with almost everything, enriching the flavor and texture of foods (smoothies, crumbles, puddings, etc.). Here is a delicious recipe for yogurt with lemon, nothing like combining citrus fruits with milk!
Curried popcorn
You may be wondering if popcorn can be a healthy snack, let us tell you yes! We are not referring to cinema or microwave popcorn, but to homemade popcorn free of fat and salt.
Popcorn contains plenty of fiber (10 g per 100), many minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc), vitamins E, A, C, D, K, and B vitamins, among other nutrients. All of them provide us with the following benefits:
• Fight constipation
• They control cholesterol
• Slow down aging
• They lower blood sugar levels
• They provide low calories
Crispy, fluffy, delicious, versatile and light, they could not be missing from this list, so for you to check their advantages, I leave you here the curry popcorn recipe and, additionally, this pan popcorn recipe.
Healthy Spreads: Roasted Pepper Hummus
You already know that crudités, chips, bruschetta and toast would not be the same without a good spreadable cream. In addition, this type of preparation saves you time, since you can prepare it well in advance for a party or always have it on hand to taste.
When it comes to healthy dips, the most common ingredients will always be fish, vegetables or legumes. In this group of appetizers, perhaps the most famous cream is hummus (prepared with chickpeas), due to its flavor and outstanding properties:
• Causes satiety
• Keeps sugar levels stable (thanks to its low glycemic index)
• Provides a large amount of protein (of high biological value when combined with certain foods)
• Produces serotonin (the hormone of happiness)
• Improves tissue quality
• Contains very little fat
• Combat constipation
• Reduce the cholesterol
Without further ado, here you have what was promised, this exquisite recipe for roasted pepper hummus, perfect on crudités, to spread on whole wheat bread or whatever comes to mind.
Healthy skewers
Pinchos are a very popular snack in Spain and Latin America that can be used as an appetizer, starter or as a complete meal. This food meets all the conditions to become the “king of healthy snacks”, due to its versatility, flavor and characteristics. In addition, you can use low-calorie and highly nutritious ingredients.
Suggestions for healthy ingredients? There are many delicious alternatives such as tuna, anchovies, salmon, sardines, chicken, and turkey, among others. If you are vegan, you can use soy meat, tofu, among other vegetable meats. Also, you can invent many combinations (vegetables with meats, only vegetables, fruits with meats). And if you want something sweet, you can prepare fruit skewers.
Here we propose 3 excellent recipes for healthy skewers: chicken skewers with fine herbs, autumn skewer (a vegetable skewer) and fruit skewers for parties (a sweet appetizer).
