It can be difficult to think of snacks when you’re trying to lose pregnancy weight or trying to follow a healthy eating plan – especially if you follow a gluten free and/or nut free diet.
But snacks are a super important part of a healthy eating plan, as they help to tide you over until your next meal whilst also keeping your blood sugar stable.
To help you out, we’ve come up with 20 healthy eating snacks that are gluten free & nut free and under 160 calories – and don’t forget that The Healthy Mummy Smoothies are gluten free, dairy free and nut free.
1. Frozen Grapes
Frozen grapes taste just like sweets – and because they’re frozen, they take longer to eat, making them feel like a real treat. 150g of grapes contains just 93 calories.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
Take one medium sweet potato and slice into thin fries. Spritz with cooking spray and season with salt, pepper and sweet paprika. Place in a single layer in a baking tray and bake in a 200C oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden. A yummy hot snack for just 115 calories.
3. Gluten Free Rice Cakes with Apple Butter
Apple butter is a sweet spread that is low in fat, low in calories and wonderfully flavoured. Spread 2 tbsp. of apple butter onto 2 gluten free rice cakes for a delicious snack that contains only 130 calories.
4. Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli has a wonderful flavour when roasted. Chop half of a broccoli head into florets and toss with 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil and salt and pepper and bake in a 200C oven for 20 minutes or until browned. A filling snack for 142 calories.
5. Yoghurt and Banana
Choose gluten free yoghurt such as soy yoghurt and serve with a small banana for a filling, super healthy snack. A small yoghurt and a small banana contain about 150 calories, depending on the brand.
6. Roasted Seeds
Roasted seeds are a fantastically flavourful snack – take 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds, soak overnight and pat dry, then toss with 1 tbsp. melted butter, a little salt and pepper and a little Worcestershire sauce. Bake for 1 hour, stirring often until golden. Serving size: 28g, calories per serving: 136.
7. Edamame Beans
Edamame beans have bags of vitamins and minerals and they’re low in calories, too. Serve yours with a little lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Calories per 56g serving: 85.
8. Marinated Carrots
Carrots are a great sweet snack and if you marinate them, they have extra flavour. Slice 3 carrots into thin slices and toss with 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar, salt, pepper and a pinch of freshly chopped basil. Recipe makes 2 servings, calories per serving: 84.
9. Clementine
Clementines are a lovely snack – sweet, juicy and full of flavour. You can have three or four as a healthy snack, as they only contain 35 calories per clementine.
10. Tortilla Chips and Salsa
7 gluten free tortilla chips plus 2 tbsp. of your favourite chunky tomato salsa contains just 142 calories. Go for a spicy salsa to give your metabolism a boost whilst you’re eating
11. Tomatoes and Basil
Tomatoes and basil are a match made in flavour heaven. Take 150g cherry tomatoes and toss with 1 tsp. oil, a handful of fresh basil leaves, sea salt and some cracked black pepper – this delicious snack contains just 71 calories.
12. Celery Stalks and Cream Cheese
Celery is full of nutrients and cream cheese is full of calcium, making this snack both nutritious and delicious. Two celery stalks and 2 tbsp. cream cheese contains just 87 calories. Choose a flavoured cream cheese, such as garlic and herb, for extra flavour.
13. Healthy Biscuits
Biscuits don’t need to be unhealthy – we have a great gluten free recipe for a yummy biccie that is only 160 cals per 3 cookies – recipe is here
14. Popcorn
Popcorn isn’t actually a junk food – it’s very good for you if you serve it plain with just a few spices and some salt and pepper. 1 cup of air popped popcorn contains just 31 calories – so you can afford to add a little butter if you like.
15. Hard-boiled Egg
Eggs are a great snack, as they’re filled with protein, making them super filling. They are also low in calories – containing around 80 calories per egg. Serve them as they are, or chop into a salad with lettuce and a little salad dressing.
16. Egg White Omelet
Egg whites are incredibly low in calories and fat, so for a quick snack, make an omelet using 2 egg whites, 50g chopped ham and 50g cooked mushrooms. A filling snack for just 90 calories. The calorie count will increase if you use oil to cook the omelet – cook it using cooking spray instead.
17. Roasted Chickpeas
Toss 50g raw chickpeas with some cooking spray, a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar and then bake in a 200C oven for 20 minutes until crisp. A sweet, crunchy snack for just 110 calories.
18. Banana Coins
Melt 10g of dark chocolate in a bowl in the microwave and dip a small sliced banana into the chocolate. Don’t worry about covering the banana coins completely. Spread out in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze. Once frozen, you can keep them in a freezer bag. Calories per serving: 150.
19. Hummus and Veggie Sticks
Whiz up 100g raw washed chickpeas in a blender with 1 tsp. olive oil, salt, pepper, and a garlic clove. Season to taste with paprika and lemon juice. Serve with carrot or celery sticks. Recipe serves 2, calories per serving: 140, depending on the veggies you serve the hummus with.
20. Apple and Cheese
A sliced apple served with some sharp cheddar cheese is an excellent snack at any time of the day. 1 medium apple with 17g of sharp cheddar cheese comes in at 149 calories.
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