Watermelon Chia ParfaitA nutritious snack is a great way to get some energy to your body and a great opportunity to have some fruits and veggies!  The ideal time to have a snack is when you’re starting to feel a little hungry but not so famished that you would eat anything in sight.  That kind of hunger is when you start to make less than healthy choices.  Here are 12 different snack ideas that you can go to in good moments.

  1. Chia Pudding with fruit

Have you used chia seeds? These little grains absorb liquid and become jelly. When you add pureed fruits you get the texture of jam which goes great with creamy yogurt.

  1. Zataar cucumbers

Are you bored of your cucumber slices? You won’t when you add zataar. This Middle Eastern spice mix has thyme, oregano, sumac and sesame seeds.  It’s delicious!

  1. Hummus and veggies

An excellent pairing to your veggies is hummus. Try this recipe for edamame hummus.

  1. Avocado dip and veggies

Mash some ripe avocado with diced tomatoes and some lemon or lime juice for a creamy dip, perfect for dipping your veggies in.

  1. Fruit and Veggie Smoothie

Having a smoothie is a great way to keep your hunger down between meals. More often than not we use fruits in our smoothie but adding veggies can also be delicious and nutritious! Here are a few recipes to get you started.

  1. Energizing duo

Fruits and nuts together make an energizing duo, they each bring different nutrients to the table. You can make your own trail mix by starting with the nuts you have on hand and your favourite dried fruit. Bonus; this snack is practical since it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Bring some along with you wherever you go for a satisfying snack at any moment!

  1. Overnight oats

Overnight oats don’t require any cooking time. You can either eat them for breakfast or pack them into Tupperware for a snack later.

  1. Avocado toast

Making avocado toast is as simple as adding some slices or mashed avocado to a piece of toast and adding your favourite toppings like cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, radishes or roasted chickpeas. Change your toppings based on what’s in season and you’ll have endless combinations. Try some of these ideas.Avocado Toast from MarieEve Caplette

  1. Fruits and nut butters

Spread peanut butter on slices of apple, pear or bananas. Simple and delicious!  You could also try it on celery sticks for a sweet-salty combination.

  1. Popsicles 

There’s nothing better than a Popsicle to cool down on a hot day. Try this fresh fruit recipe.  Have fun by switching up your fruit combinations like adding mango, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, etc…

  1. Frozen grapes

Freezing fresh grapes is a simple refreshing ideas! They will be very appreciated on a hot day.

  1. Fruit skewers

Since we eat with our eyes, presentation is very important. By simply sliding fruit on a skewer you create a brand new snack! For an even more satisfying snack try alternating the fruit with cheese cubes or energy balls.

What’s your favourite snack? Get inspired by our snack Pinterest board!

Written by Marie-Ève Caplette, Registered Dietitian and Half Your Plate Campus ambassador

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When I toss romaine hearts into my shopping cart, chances are I'm heading home to make my family’s favourite salad. Every cook should know the joy of crafting a true Caesar salad while avoiding the also-ran dressings at the supermarket that never quite measure up to the real thing. Over time we’ve experimented with lots of additional flavours in this salad but, more often than not, I toss in lots of fresh basil leaves and brightly flavoured cherry tomatoes. What a great way to fill Half Your Plate! SERVES 4 TO 6 For the croutons 1 baguette, cut into large bite-sized cubes 1/4 cup (60 mL) of water 1/4 cup (60 mL) of your best olive oil For the dressing 6 thick slices of bacon, finely cut 1/4 cup (60 mL) of extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60 mL) of Dijon mustard 4 cloves of garlic a full 2-ounce (50 g) can of anchovies the zest and juice of 2 lemons 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey a dash or two of your favourite hot sauce For the salad 3 hearts of romaine lettuce, rinsed and sliced into bite sized pieces 1 large bunch of basil leaves 2-ounces or so of Parmigiano-Reggiano, shaved into thin pieces with a vegetable peeler 1 pound of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Turn on your convection fan if you have one. Begin with the croutons. Sprinkle the bread cubes with water and toss until evenly absorbed. Continue tossing with the oil until it too is absorbed. Spread the works out on a baking tray and bake until the croutons are crispy, crunchy and thoroughly golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove and cool while you prepare the rest of the salad. Make the dressing. Toss the bacon and a big splash of water into a pan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently until the bacon is fully browned and evenly crispy, 10 minutes or so. Strain off the bacon bits and reserve for garnishing. Reserve all, some or none of the tasty fat. Measure the oil, Dijon, garlic, anchovies, lemon zest and juice, honey and hot sauce into your blender or food processor. Add the reserved bacon fat. Purée until smooth. Make the salad. In a large salad bowl toss together the romaine leaves, basil leaves, croutons and tomatoes. Pour in the dressing and toss the works until the salad is evenly dressed. Top with the bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve and share! Freestyle Flavour You can easily elevate this salad into an entire meal by adding lots of your favourite protein. Try grilling off a few chicken breasts and thinly slicing them into the works. A filet or two of salmon, grilled steak, pork tenderloin, even chunks of tofu can be added for a full protein kick.
Basil Caesar Salad

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