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3 tasty low-carb snacks for work

Following a strict diet means you have to say no to your usual guilty pleasures. Worse, you can’t snack mindlessly at work when you need a pick-me-up. It can be hard to make the necessary changes for your health, but you’ll be happy to know you can still enjoy a treat.

Try these guilt-free snack recipes to keep the hunger at bay.

Chip swap: beetroot chips

Beetroot is packed with nutrients like potassium, fibre, betaine (amino acid), magnesium, folate and Vitamin C. Beets also contain nitrates and pigments that can help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance.

Ingredients

  • 5 medium beets, peeled.
  • 2 tbsps olive oil.
  • Sea salt to taste.

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºC and line a few baking sheets with greaseproof paper. Use a mandolin slicer to thinly slice the beets.
  • Toss with olive oil and arrange the slices in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes until crispy.
  • Once they’ve cooled, sprinkle with coarse sea salt

Chocolate swap: peanut butter banana shake

Peanut butter is an energy booster, rich in fibre, protein, potassium and fat. Adding bananas gives this shake a dose of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and potassium. Potassium helps to lower high blood pressure and has a positive impact on overall heart health..

Ingredients

  • 1 banana, peeled.
  • 150g yoghurt.
  • 100ml milk.
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter.
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds.
  • ½ tsp cinnamon (or to taste).

Optional

  • 1 tbsp cacao nibs for the “chocolate chip” effect. You can either blend them in or use as a topping.
  • 1 tbsp flax or hemp seeds (for added nutrition).
  • Dairy-free chocolate sauce (for drizzling inside glass).
  • Coconut whipped cream (for topping).

Method

  • Use a blender to combine all the ingredients.
  • Drink up!

Sweets swap: blueberry yoghurt bites

Blueberries are a good source of Vitamin K1, Vitamin C and manganese. They also contain Vitamin E and Vitamin B6. Snacking on blueberries can benefit your heart and brain health while at the same time regulate blood sugar levels.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain Greek yoghurt.
  • 1 tsp honey.
  • Blueberries

Optional

  • Seeds of 1 vanilla bean.

Method

  • In a small bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt, honey, and vanilla bean seeds.
  • Pierce each blueberry with a toothpick, dip it into the yoghurt and swirl it around to thoroughly coat the berry. Gently place the berries on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper.
  • Freeze for 45 minutes or until the berries are completely frozen.

Munching these will help improve your brain function.

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