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Salt + sugar = yummy (and happy)! We humans are literally hard-wired to crave these tastes. They spark changes in our brain chemistry that make us feel really happy. There is even a phrase to describe our feelings about junk food – it’s called the bliss point, which is achieved when something is amazingly tasty but totally unsatisfying. So, the more you eat, the more you want.
With unprocessed food, we know when we’ve had enough – our taste buds and bodies are satisfied. The healthy trick? Find foods that are an indulgence and benefit your health. Try these:
Tasty Kale
Kale chips and other veggie snack foods can sometimes be just as ‘junky’ as potato chips! So grab your own bunch of kale, toss it in some olive oil and interesting salt-free seasonings, put it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in your oven. Set at the lowest possible temperature for about 15 minutes or until the kale has your preferred level of crunch.
Roasted Veggies
Something miraculous happens when you roast vegetables – they transform into delectable snacks. Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, onions – you name it. Roast them together or stick to just one – the possibilities are endless. Just clean them up, toss with olive oil, dump lovingly into a roasting pan (not too many or they will steam instead of roast) and blast them at 400 degrees for about 30-45 minutes or until they hit your desired degree of doneness.
Fruit & Yogurt
Skip the flavored yogurt (so much added sugar!) and dollop some plain Greek yogurt over a bowl of fruit. Top it off with some nuts, and maybe drizzle on the barest touch of honey. Your taste buds will adore you.
Crispy Chickpeas
Looking for a salty, crunchy snack? Grab some cooked chickpeas, drain them and pat them dry, toss with olive oil, maybe a little pepper and just a dash of salt, and then bake them in a 350°F oven for about a half an hour. And poof – you just made a powerhouse snack filled with protein and fiber, according to Natalie Rizzo, author of The No-Brainer Nutrition Guide For Every Runner.
Dark Chocolate
Get the chocolate that’s at least 70% cocoa. Along with all that decadent deliciousness, dark chocolate is super healthy. Some medical studies indicate it lowers blood pressure and inflammation, reduces cravings for unhealthy food, bumps up brain function, and even helps you to exercise more. But skip chocolate that’s been “processed with alkali” – that reduces flavanol content, which is responsible for a lot of cocoa’s reported health benefits .
While these snacks are delicious and nutritious, remember, in addition to eating healthy, preventive care, such as wellness visits and regular dental checkups are key to staying healthy and happy. If you think your budget won’t stretch far enough to see the dentist as often as you should, check out dental savings plans, an affordable alternative to dental insurance that’s accepted by 100,000+ dentists nationwide.
