Healthy Snacks

Having a selection of tasty and satisfying healthy snacks easily to hand is crucial when you are following a weight loss programme! These ideas will be enjoyed by your children as well as adults.

* Whole wheat cereals, to eat out of the packet

* Popcorn, preferably cooked with no fat in the microwave

* English muffins, split in half and toasted then topped with a smear of tomato ketchup or tomato puree and a slice of ham or other cooked meat 

* Home-made ice-pops using fruit juice, low-fat yoghurt, or flavored milk.

* Smoothies, using low-fat yoghurt, a selection of fruit, and skimmed or fat-free milk.

* Dried fruit, seeds and a small amount of raw peanuts or almonds.

* Raw vegetables, cut into bite-sized sticks. Use carrots, peppers, cucumbers, celery, spring onions, cauliflower.

* Split and toasted pitta bread. Deliciious and crispy on its own, or good dipped into hummus or tzatziki dips.

* Wholemeal toast spread with mushroom paste. Make the mushroom paste by frying onions (and garlic if you like) in a very small amount of olive oil, then adding a selection of mushrooms. Cook and stir until the mixture is fairly dry, adding fresh herbs, salt and pepper if you like. Chop roughly by hand or in the food processor. This mixture can be divided up into small portions and frozen.

* Fresh fruit, all varieties

* Rice-cakes, spread with hummus, tzatziki, cottage cheese, a little peanut butter, or a smear of marmite or vegemite.

* Home-made bread sticks. Take the crusts off some slices of bread and then cut into strips. Place on a baking tray and cook in a very slow oven until dry and crispy. Store in an airtight container.