The nutritious snack that has 30 per cent fewer calories than you think
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- Snacking can be beneficial for maintaining energy levels and incorporating healthy foods, but many common snacks are calorie-dense and nutritionally poor, such as crisps and chocolate bars.
- Experts recommend choosing snacks high in protein and fibre, like combinations of fruit with cheese or yoghurt, nuts with dried fruit, and vegetables with hummus, to promote fullness and overall health.
- Almonds are highlighted as a particularly nutritious snack, linked to reduced cardiovascular risk and improved cognitive health, with research showing that their calorie content is overestimated due to incomplete absorption.
- Moderation is key when consuming calorie-dense snacks like almonds, with suggested portions of 30-60g to gain health benefits without excess calories.
- Late-night snacking is discouraged as it can negatively affect blood glucose, lipid control, and sleep quality; experts advise avoiding snacks after 9pm and leaving 2-3 hours between the last meal and bedtime.
