5 Junk Free Snacks

For some of us, snacking is the only way to make it through the day without getting beyond hungry! For others, it's an easy skip. However, if you are a 'snacker' the key is snacking well! Rather than choosing for sugar-filled snacks like muesli bars, snack mindfully by checking out our junk free ideas!

1. Brazil Nuts
These are a new addition to my snack collection, Ben Warren got me onto brazil nuts due to their super high content in selenium. Selenium is a mineral which protects the body against damage by acting as an anti-oxidant. It also helps regulate blood pressure and support our immune systems! By snacking on between 2-5 brazil nuts daily, you'll ensure that you're getting your daily intake of selenium. How easy is that?!

2. Brain Balls 
This delicious recipe from Dr Libby is a wonderful source of monounsaturated fats and the essential omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties in the body. They are also great sources of vitamin E and zinc - essential for skin and immune health. 

You'll Need:

• 2 cups walnuts, halves and pieces
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup coconut, shredded
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 8 fresh dates, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons water
• Pinch of salt
• 1 to 3 drops peppermint oil (optional)

This recipe was sourced from Dr Libby's blog here.

1. Combine the walnuts, sunflower seeds, dates and coconut in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for 30 to grind the ingredients.
2. Add the cocoa powder, salt, water and the peppermint oil to the bowl and process until the mixture forms a paste.
3. Form the paste into medium sized balls by rolling a portion of the paste between your palms. Place the finished balls on a tray lined with waxed paper and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

3. Blueberries
These are the ultimate superfood! Packed full of anti-oxidants due to their beautiful blue colour. Studies have shown that blueberries offer potential protection against cancer, a boost to the immune system and a guard against the liver and brain. Be sure to grab a handful of these goodies today!

4. Kale Chips
These baked bites are super delicious and are really easy to make. Much like potato chips, you can't stop after one. But these are entirely guilt-free and they're super nutritious too!

​Check out this recipe from AllRecipes.

You'll Need:

• 1 bunch of kale
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt (to taste)

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Hummus and Veggie Sticks

This is another classic recipe from BePure. Hummus is a fridge staple and works great for lots of snack options! I love spreading mine on a dense seeded toast, or enjoying them with some freshly cut veggies! 

Check out this hummus recipe from BePure!

​You'll Need:

• 1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed 
• 4 cloves of roasted garlic (roast a whole bulb of garlic)
• 2 Tbsp tahini 
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 3 Tbsp water (use more if needed to thin it out)
• 1 tsp ground roasted cumin 
• ½ tsp ground roasted coriander
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika 
• ¼ tsp sumac (optional) 
• ½ tsp salt and pepper 

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Rub extra papery skin off whole heads of garlic. Cut tips off each clove of garlic with serrated knife to expose a bit of garlic. Lay root side down on a sheet of tin foil or in a small baking dish. Drizzle with oil over the cut end of the garlic. Crimp foil closed or cover the baking dish with foil. Roast until the garlic cloves are soft and fragrant, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open foil and let sit until cool enough to handle.
2. Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their papery skin. Discard skin and transfer the cloves to a food processor. 
3.  Add to the food processor the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, water, roasted cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, optional sumac, salt and pepper.

Share your favourite snacks with us in the comments below and be sure to give us some feedback on how your Junk Free June is going!

​From our home to yours,