By Bareera Amjad
Food cravings are a part of human life. At some point in their life, every person experiences the urge to eat unhealthy foods and develops an addiction. The possible reasons for cravings for certain foods could be stress, lack of certain nutrients in the body, not getting enough sleep, or drinking little water. First and foremost, get sufficient rest, reduce your stress levels, and take plenty of water. Besides, we have sorted out some snacks that can satisfy cravings. Here is a rundown of the top 10 snacks to stop craving that you need to try.
Top 10 Snacks To Stop Craving Unhealthy Foods
1- Greek Yogurt
Apart from its thick and smooth taste, Greek Yogurt has some very beneficial nutrients in it.
- Rich source of protein
- Lower in sugar
- Good source of calcium
- Contains sufficient vitamin B-12
- Lots of probiotics take care of gut health
Here is a simple guide to making Greek Yogurt at home.
- Heat Milk
Heat full cream milk and bring it to boil to 185 º F (85 ºC)
- Cool Milk
Then put it aside to cool. Take half a cup of plain yogurt, put some of the milk in it, and blend it well.
- Set it aside
Now transfer the blended milk and yogurt to the rest of the liquid. Set it aside with a lid on it and keep it in a warm place for about 4-8 hours.
- Strain
Take any filter (cheesecloth) in a large bowl, put yogurt in it, and place it for a few hours in the fridge to strain.
Greek Yogurt is ready to eat. If mixed with berries or other fresh fruit, it will be more healthy and more beneficial.
2- Fresh Fruits
Fresh fruits are naturally sweet, taste excellent, and are very convenient. Additionally, they have prebiotic fiber in it and less in calories. Once you get used to eating fruits in cravings, you are good to go. They are a good source of natural vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, fruits prevent heart disease and obesity. You can make a fruit salad with different fruits to taste it better. It can be the healthiest craving snack.
3- Dark Chocolate
In case you are craving desserts, you can always have dark Chocolate. Dark Chocolate is convenient and highly beneficial. It is made up of 70% cocoa and is rich in antioxidants. However, you should take it in moderation, a square or two, as the excess amount can add extra sugar to your diet. Moreover, it also prevents heart attacks. Improve blood flow and lowers blood pressure. It can protect from the sun and improves brain function.
4- Fruit & Butter
The combination of fruit and nut butter (peanut butter) is very delicious but extremely healthy. You can enjoy it at any time. Just have to clean it, and it’s ready to eat. The snack can provide fiber and vital nutrients and minerals from fruits and the healthy fat found in nut butter. Plus, you don’t have to watch your portion size, though you must take a nut butter that contains only nuts.
5- Banana Ice-cream
If you’re craving a sweet and creamy treat, then there are some delicious healthy options for you to consider. Banana ice cream can be made by blending ripened bananas in a mixer and freezing them for an hour or two.
This snack is as healthy as real bananas. One medium-sized banana carries about 105 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein. It also provides vitamin C, B12, and potassium. You can store banana ice cream for a month in an airtight dish in the freezer.
6- Cottage Cheese
Are you in the mood for a salty snack? You can always go to cottage cheese. It has a mild flavor and is a bit salty too. We have found this best among the top 10 healthy snacks that you can try.
Cottage cheese is a rich source of calcium, protein, vitamins B12, B6, zinc, and copper. It has low calories and it is easy to make at home. You can prepare by adding lemon juice vinegar to boiling milk. Another benefit of cottage cheese is that it helps in losing weight.
7- Cucumber
A cucumber is an exciting snack if you are craving some crunchy food. Cucumber is a good source of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and a reasonable amount of fiber. Cucumber sticks with peel when sprinkled with lemon juice and a pinch of salt and chili powder. It is a refreshing snack that is not only a mood elevator but helpful in maintaining gut health.
8- Dates
Dates are a type of fruit and a perfect snack because they are packed with beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. However, they contain a very high amount of sugar, but due to its other benefits, they can be a perfect snack if you are craving something sweet. Only two or three dates are enough to provide energy equal to a full meal. Additionally, if you want to add more taste to it, you can always pack your dates with almonds or any nut you like.
9- Mixed Dry Nuts
Mixed dry nuts should be in your kitchen all the time and must include nuts, raisins, and grain or cereal. However, you can try not to buy the ready-made mixed nuts available in the stores because those are full of salt and lack nutrients. Instead of buying the mixed nuts, you can purchase the nuts separately and mix them by yourself. This one is considered the best among the top 10 healthy snacks.
10- Berries
Berries are full of antioxidants, rich in fiber, low in calories, and useful in fighting aging effects. A few berries a week can do magic, and if you take just two or three a day, it will reduce stress levels and elevate your mood. Furthermore, berries help to fight many chronic diseases too. There are different types of berries, but blueberries are the popular ones and taste great too.
Food cravings are real, and you should not feel guilty. They are hard to handle. Luckily, the top 10 healthy snacks discussed in this article will help solve the problem, if one can invest in them and make them readily available in the kitchen.