Exploring Nutritious Snack Options with Green Centers
When looking for a convenient, on-the-go snack, it's important to choose options that satisfy cravings while providing essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Many popular snacks that contain green centers, like grapes, kiwis or miniature cucumbers, check all these boxes. This article will explore several nutritious, green-centered snack ideas to fuel your body.
Grapes
Grapes make the perfect healthy snack. These small, round fruits contain vitamin C, vitamin K, antioxidants and powerful plant compounds like resveratrol. Studies show grapes may benefit heart health, blood sugar regulation, brain function and more.
Try green, red or black grapes for a sweet treat - one cup of grapes contains only 100 calories. Enjoy them fresh or freeze them for a cooling summertime snack.
Kiwifruit
With fuzzy brown skin and vibrant green flesh, the nutrient-dense kiwifruit packs a lot of nutrition. Ounce for ounce, kiwis contain more vitamin C than oranges along with vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, potassium and antioxidants.
Research shows that eating kiwis may boost immunity, support digestion, aid sleep and keep skin healthy - one medium kiwi has just 50 calories.
Green Olives
Filled with healthy monounsaturated fats and phytochemicals like oleuropein, green olives offer many benefits with a minimal amount of calories. Studies indicate olives may improve heart health markers, regulate blood sugar levels, decrease inflammation and suppress tumor growth.
Enjoy 10-15 green olives as a snack for 50-75 calories or add them to salads, pizzas, pastas and more.
Mini Cucumbers
With their mild, fresh flavor and satisfying crunch, mini cucumbers are a fantastic low-calorie snack option. One cup of sliced cukes contains 16 calories and offers a good amount of vitamin K along with vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants.
Dip mini cucumbers in hummus, combine them with cherry tomatoes or enjoy them plain for an easy veggie pick-me-up.
Green Bell Pepper Strips
Crunchy and delicious, green bell peppers provide a wealth of important nutrients. sweet peppers are loaded with vitamin C and provitamin A carotenoids like beta carotene. They also supply vitamin B6, folate, potassium and antioxidants.
Dip sliced green peppers in guacamole or salsa, add them to a veggie platter or munch on raw slices - 1 medium pepper has about 25 calories.
Whip Up Some DIY Green Snacks
You can also make green-centered snacks right at home with simple fruits, veggies, herbs and other nutritious ingredients. This allows you to control the ingredients while saving money.
Green Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Apples offer many impressive health benefits - studies show they may boost brain health, support weight loss and reduce risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. Combine vitamin C-rich green apple slices with protein-packed peanut butter for a balanced snack.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter over 1 medium green apple cut into slices for under 200 calories.
Green Smoothies
Blending leafy greens like spinach or kale into smoothies amps up the nutritional value big time. Combine them with green ingredients like mango, honeydew melon, green grapes or kiwifruit along with Greek yogurt or almond milk.
A green smoothie with 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup greens, 1 cup melon and 1 banana makes 2 large servings, each under 150 calories.
Guacamole with Bell Peppers
Whip up a batch of fresh guacamole for a snack that checks all the boxes. Mash 1 avocado with lime juice, cilantro, diced green onion, garlic and salt. Serve with sliced green bell peppers for dipping.
1/4 of this combo has approximately 140 calories along with healthy fats and phytochemicals like beta-carotene and lutein.
Green GoddessDip
Blend Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh parsley and chives to make a tangy, herbal Green Goddess dip perfect for dunking veggie sticks. You can also use ingredients like avocado, tahini or olive oil for extra creaminess.
Pair with green veggies like snap peas, zucchini slices and celery sticks to create an easy veggie platter.
Other Store-Bought Green Snack Options
In addition to fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, there are also many pre-packaged snacks on grocery store shelves that offer nutritious alternatives containing green centers, such as:
Pistachios
Pistachios provide protein, fiber and healthy fats along with a variety of vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Their green kernels also contain beneficial plant compounds like carotenoids and polyphenols.
A 30 gram serving of pistachios (about 49 kernels) contains 158 calories.
Green Pea Crisps
Dehydrated green pea snacks are crunchy and delicious. They provide an impressive amount of plant-based protein along with fiber, iron, phosphorus and vitamins A, C and K. Make sure to check ingredients and select options without artificial flavors or colors.
A serving of plain green pea crisps (about 30 grams) ranges from 100-130 calories.
Edamame
This popular Asian appetizer is made from immature soybeans. Edamame is rich in protein, fiber, folate, iron, magnesium and phytochemicals like saponins and isoflavones that may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
A 100 gram serving of shelled edamame contains 121 calories and over 10 grams of filling protein.
Whip Up Satisfying Snacks
When an afternoon snack attack strikes, skip the vending machine and reach for something green and nutritious instead. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and even some pre-packaged snacks offer tasty alternatives that provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy plant compounds.
Fuel your body properly while satisfying cravings by whipping up homemade treats like green smoothies. Or grab quick veggie snacks like mini cucumbers, bell peppers, grapes, green olives and apples with peanut butter.
FAQs
What are some good green snack options?
Some nutritious green snack options include grapes, kiwifruit, mini cucumbers, green bell peppers, pistachios, edamame, green apple slices with peanut butter, and green smoothies.
Are green snacks healthy?
Yes, most green fruits, vegetables and nuts contain high amounts of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to support overall health. They are nutrient-dense and low in calories.
How can I make green snacks at home?
You can make green smoothies, apple slices with peanut butter, guacamole dip with sliced bell peppers, and Green Goddess dip paired with snap peas and celery sticks.
What prepackaged green snacks can I buy?
Some convenient green snack options you can find at the grocery store include pistachios, green pea crisps made from dehydrated peas, and shelled edamame soybeans.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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