When I came across the Mediterranean diet it was completely new. I quickly learned, though, that it's quite a simple concept. This particular diet puts a large emphasis on eating primarily plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains. It also replaces butter with a healthy fat alternative such as olive oil. Instead of salt, you'll use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of your food. Further, the diet recommends limited consumption of red meats. This means you should only indulge in red meat a few times a month. In contrast, fish, seafood, poultry and dairy should be enjoyed a couple times per week. There is a lot of emphases on physical activity as well as encouraging meals to be enjoyed with friends and family. Water should be your drink of choice and red wine can be enjoyed in moderation. All in all, the Mediterranean diet puts a lot of attention on consuming healthy wholesome foods and maintaining a physically active lifestyle while drastically limiting processed foods and drinks.
The Mediterranean diet shouldn't be thought of as a quick fix, a cleanse or a fad diet but more of a healthy way of living. This diet is based on traditional foods that people would eat in the 1960s in countries such as Italy and Greece. According to researchers, the people who followed this diet were extremely healthy and had a much lower risk of many lifestyle diseases in comparison to Americans. Some of these health benefits could include weight loss, reduced risk of depression, better control of sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease. Today, we're digging deep to help you stay on track with your snacking. When a vigorous craving or strike of hunger arises, that is when we are at our weakest. We tend to cave and let hunger take over. In an attempt to help keep you on track we have found some great snack options that will help keep you in line with the Mediterranean diet.
1. Nuts
Nuts are considered a great source of unsaturated fat. They can boost your heart health and can be considered an excellent snack choice while following the Mediterranean diet.
It's important to note the Mediterranean diet doesn't discourage fat but instead, merely encourages the healthy types of fat and this is primarily why nuts would make a great snacking choice. If you feel the urge to snack try having a handful of unsalted nuts of your choice such as almonds, walnuts or cashews.
2. Apple Slices With Almond Butter
We've already discovered that nuts are a healthy snack choice while following the Mediterranean diet so there is no question that a nut butter would make a great snack option too. For a quick and easy snack, you could enjoy fresh apple slices with almond butter.
You'll be getting a healthy serving of fruit paired with a generous spread of healthy fats provided by the nut butter. Better yet, it can help quench a sweet tooth craving while satisfying you until your next meal.
3. Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are awesome because they can transform into a delicious hummus, can make a great addition to many salads but they can also be enjoyed on their own. If you enjoy snacking on almonds or any other types of nuts, odds are you'd enjoy snacking on a roasted legume such as chickpeas too.
Noshing With the Nolands' roasted chickpea recipe is savory with a hint of spicy. If you prefer your chickpeas extra crunchy it is recommended to take the skins off, this could also result in a quicker roasting time too!
4. Plain Greek Yogurt And Fresh Berries
Greek yogurt is considered a wholesome food because it's an excellent source of calcium, potassium, zinc, B vitamins and contains probiotic cultures. Pair a nutrient-rich food like plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries for a wholesome snack.
The great thing about this snack option is it doesn't require any cooking or preparing. Simply thrown a couple spoonfuls of Greek yogurt in a bowl, top it off with a handful of fresh berries and you'll have a delicious snack ready in no time.
5. Fruit
Fresh fruit is always an easy snacking option. The list of fruits available to us is long which means there's a variety of fruit for everyone!
If you have a sweet tooth craving don't give in! Leave the refined sugar snacks on the grocery shelf and pick up a fresh piece of fruit instead, your body will surely thank you.
6. Hummus
Hummus is one of my favorite snacks. It's a versatile dip that you can add to sandwiches, burgers or even salads. You can buy hummus at the store but it's also very easy to make at home too.
Hummus is a great snack option while following the Mediterranian diet. Enjoy it with a side of pita bread or with a plate of fresh vegetables such as carrots, radish and cucumber.
7. Mini Greek Pita Pizzas
Following the hummus trend, you could even try making these mini Greek pita pizzas from Haute and Healthy Living. This is a snack you know the whole family will enjoy and you can even encourage them to participate in the fun preparation.
These pizzas start with whole wheat min pitas. They're then topped off with a scoop of hummus, homemade or store-bought it is your choice. Then top them off with your favorite healthy and fresh toppings such as olives, cucumber, red onion, chopped tomato and feta cheese.
8. Healthy Avocado Cilantro White Bean Dip
Hummus is a delicious dip but to add variety to your snacking habits you'll want to add this dip recipe from Peas and Crayons to your list of healthy snacks to try. It's creamy, flavorful and definitely healthy.
Healthy fats are provided by avocados while white beans provide a moderate dose of protein. Then, add in olive oil, jalapenos, fresh spinach, cilantro and lime juice for a flavor like no other. Your food processor will help break down and blend the ingredients together to create an unforgettable creamy dip. Enjoy with pita chips or your favorite side of veggies.
9. Mediterranean Salsa
If you didn't love the avocado and white bean dip then you're bound to love this Mediterranean salsa by Lemon Tree Dwelling. This salsa is fresh and exploding with flavor.
Red wine vinegar, fresh oregano, pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice are just a few of the flavors you can expect out of this salsa. Combine those flavors with freshly chopped ingredients such as grape tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion and feta cheese. This salsa recipe is so easy that you'll want to make it time and time again.
10. Mediterranean Inspired Brownies
Following the sweet tooth cravings, another great snack option would be these Mediterranean inspired brownies by OliveTomato. They're just like your favorite ooey-gooey brownie but a little bit healthier.
A few ingredients such as Greek yogurt and olive oil help to give a traditional brownie recipe a healthy makeover. They do, however, still contain sugar so you might not want to indulge in this snack every day. However, we are human and a delicious indulgence is good in moderation.