While pregnancy weight loss may be your main goal, following a healthy eating plan also has other benefits including increased energy and vitality, greater levels of fitness and better overall health.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants is considered a good way to slow down aging, reduce stress in the body and protect against common diseases like cancer and heart disease.
The preventative benefits of eating antioxidant-rich foods are manifold, and luckily many foods high in antioxidants are easily sources from supermarkets to growers markets.
Here are 10 simple, highly-nutritious snacks that are high in antioxidants:
Soy-Linseed Toast with Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese and Blueberries
Blueberries are known for being one of the most antioxidant-rich foods in the world. While many people could happily snack on them straight from the punnet, pairing them with cream cheese and soy linseed bread is a good idea for a more substantial snack when you are hungry between meals.
Calories per serve: 282
10 Fresh Raspberries with a cup of Reduced-Fat Greek Yoghurt
Just behind blueberries in the antioxidant stakes, raspberries also offer a high amount of antioxidants as well as fibre and vitamins.
Calories per serve: 111
Lose Baby Weight Antioxidant Smoothie
Made with green tea, spinach and kiwifruit, this low calorie smoothie is packed with antioxidants courtesy of the green tea and spinach.
Calories per serve: 193
Recipe here
Half an apple with handful of pecan nuts
While berries get lots of attention for being high in antioxidants, the humble apple also packs an antioxidant punch. Pair with a handful of antioxidant-rich pecans for a high-antioxidant, healthy snack.
Calories per serve: 152
Cherries, Rockmelon & Yoghurt
Apart from being delicious, cherries are high in anthocyanins, an powerful antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.
Calories per serve: 160 calories
Recipe here
A small handful of walnuts with 3 squares of dark chocolate
Walnuts carry a higher amount of antioxidants than most other nuts. Dark chocolate is known to carry high amounts of antioxidants. Choose a dark chocolate with a high cocoa content for added benefits.
Calories per serve: 209
5 x prunes with half an orange
Apart from being high in fibre, prunes are also one of the world’s greatest sources of antioxidants. Oranges also contain a fair amount of antioxidants so pair up a few prunes with half an orange for a super healthy snack.
Calories per serve: 141
To see the more healthy snacking ideas sign up to our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. You will get access to 800 delicious, healthy recipes, customisable meal plans with shopping lists and 28 days of at home, time-efficient exercises for busy mums just like you. See all the details here
