You CAN ‘have your treats and eat them, too’! But there’s a secret to choosing healthy snacks. And a few caveats that span multiple foods covered in the source post, at Espresso maga-zine. Some of the nominees will probably surprise you…
Sheet Pan Nachos: Loaded with healthy toppings – hold the
Sour Cream – and based on baked-not-fried corn chips…
I just had to explore the slide show when it showed up on my screen amid more-or-less random surfing action. And I will admit that I – as you, too, probably – will be aware of some of the multi-dozen foods mentioned.
But others were a refreshing surprise. And I can’t resist sharing them with you!
Here we go…
I think we all know, by now, that Popcorn, Pizza, Burgers and Fries can be healthy – if they’re topped with the right stuff. And I think we’re also aware that baked fries are healthier than fried fries. Not to mention sweet potato fries are healthier than regular-potato fries.
But there’s much more to ‘healthy version snacking’ than that!
Pancakes
They’re okay – if they’re no large than 6 in / 15 cm in diameter and are made with whole wheat or buckwheat flour. And topped with fresh fruit – no syrup or butter allowed.
Cheese
I just have to mention this beauty again. “While high in calories and fat, a one-ounce slice of brick cheese is a protein and calcium powerhouse that also contains zinc,” Espresso says. But let’s face it: nobody eats just one oz / 28.4 g of cheese at a sitting!
Pulled Pork
Yes, really. The trick is not to douse it in fatty jus or sauce. (See photo, top of page.) The, “tasty, meaty, protein-rich treat [clocks in, ‘bare’, at] a modest 107 calories per 100 grams.”
Chicken Wings
“A single 17-gram skinless wing has just 17 calories and less than a gram of fat, with protein and potassium to spare. Dip ’em in hot sauce for some extra zing.” NOT calorie- and fat-laden Buffalo or Ranch Sauce…
Nachos
The fad that became a trend that became a classic! Nachos are largely vilifies as unhealthy because they traditionally rely heavily for their bulk on deep-fried corn tortilla chips. Choose oven-baked ones, or make your own from fresh tortillas. They’re readily available at most supermarkets these days. And what you top them with can make a big difference in a given tray’s ‘sin’ rating.
Guacamole
This legendary Tex-Mex dip/topping/dressing is often dissed as unhealthy because of its fat content. But ew now know they’re healthy fats. And each dollop of Guac is loaded with high-quality vegetable protein and vitamin C – more C than an orange!
Vanilla Ice Cream
It’s the flavourings and other additions to ice cream that multiply its Calorie count and unhealth-iness quotient. “An ice cream scoop serves up 68 grams of this calcium-rich treat, so keep it to one scoop—topped with some fresh fruit.” Nonsense. Nobody I know settles for less than two scoops. And even three keeps the calories to just over 200. We can disregard the fat and added sugar. Ice Cream is just a once-in-a-while indulgence…
Breakfast Cereal
Yes, really. But the kind that’s not frosted or dosed with tons of extra sugar. Bran Flakes, Corn Flakes, plain Shredded Wheat. And of course, classic Oatmeal. Just don’t add (too much) sugar and top gen-erously with fresh fruit for best effect.
My take
There are actually two factors that unite most entries on Espresso’s listicle of ‘healthy’ snacks:
First, they are nominated as healthy with the proviso that you choose them carefully or – better yet, make them yourself.
The second is, that you top anything that benefits from topping with fresh fruit. All other toppings are apparently off-limits.
I invite you to peruse the entire slide show as reposted at MSN.com… And decide for yourself if all the dishes named – including Cheesesteaks, Chocolate-covered Almonds and S’Mores – are really THAT healthy…
~ Maggie J.