Craving a snack? We’re dietitians – here’s what WE would eat (and no, it’s not dark chocolate)

When you’re in the mood for a snack, it can be easy to eat a chocolate bar or reach for a bag of chips.

But your dietitian certainly wouldn’t be impressed if you resorted to unpacking Dairy Milk every night.

So, have you ever wondered what they snack on themselves?

Well, lucky for you, MailOnline asked four top experts to share exactly what their treats are – and how to make them. So maybe it’s time to put down the pastries and reach for the carrots and houmous…

Priya Tew, a Hampshire-based dietitian and author, says nuts are her go-to snack.

She recommends eating a handful of almonds or walnuts, as well as raw veggies with hummus and a sprinkle of seeds.

“Having the balance of fruits or veggies along with a protein can help with fullness and also blood sugar balance,” she says.

But if you want something to satisfy your sweet tooth, she recommends munching on a homemade flapjack made with oats, mashed banana, pumpkin seeds, honey, and canola oil.

Dietician consultant Kirsten Jackson, who lives in Dubai, says her go-to snacks also include nuts.

Plus, she recommends roasted chickpeas or solid fruit—regardless of whether it’s fresh or frozen.

Carrot or pepper sticks with salsa or houmous also fill the gap in a healthy way, claims Ms. Jackson, who runs the Food Treatment Clinic.

But one of her favorite snacks, she admits, is peanut butter lathered on an oatcake.

She suggests this is the perfect healthy snack, even if you’re on a budget.

‘Oats contain beta gluten which can help lower cholesterol and oats are a fantastic source of fibre,’ says Ms Jackson.

Registered dietitian Dr. Frankie Phillips claims that roasted, spicy chickpeas are her favorite snack.

To make it, she recommends using an entire can of chickpeas, then drying them in a tea towel or paper towel before placing them in a lidded jar and sprinkling with olive oil, cumin, and plenty of ground black pepper.

Then shake the bath to mix the oil and spices and coat the chickpeas. Just 15 minutes in the oven is enough to get them crispy.

“Chickpeas are a fantastic way to supplement fiber intake,” says Dr. Phillips, a registered dietitian from Devon.

‘Fiber can help with feelings of satiety, slow down the absorption of sugar molecules and regulate beneficial gut bacteria,’ says Dr Phillips.

Meanwhile, Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said the simplest snacks are pieces of fresh fruit or a handful of unsalted nuts and seeds.

Raw vegetables with hummus and a pinch of seeds is Priya Tew’s favorite snack. This healthy and balanced snack provides proteins in the house, healthy fats in the seeds and vegetables.

She added, “Eat a variety of fruits and mixtures of nuts and seeds throughout the day so you don’t get bored.”

“Your body also benefits from the range of nutrients that different species provide.”

But if you have a little more time, she recommends pairing veggie strips with a yogurt or legume dip like tzatziki or houmous.

“The protein in the dips helps make this a more filling choice, and they’re easy to make at home,” says Ms. Taylor.

For something more substantial, she recommends making a fish pie.

Use mackerel or salmon, pair it with low-fat soft cheese, herbs, black pepper, and lemon to have with whole-grain crackers and some cucumber or sliced ​​tomatoes, says Ms. Taylor.

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 servings of different fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Basic meals based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains

• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat muesli biscuits, 2 thick slices of whole-wheat bread, and a large baked potato with skin

• Provide dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks) and choose lower-fat, lower-sugar options

• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 servings of fish per week, one of which is fatty)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume in small quantities

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water per day

• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide