Some ideas to satisfy the 3pm sugar craving
In the lead up to Easter, I thought I would make some suggestions for healthier but easy to throw together sweet treats! It’s very normal for our bodies to crave sweet foods sometimes but if we can satisfy these cravings with whole foods, we’re also making sure that the sweet taste is coming with some good nutritional value too.
My first favourite: Stuffed dates
Pick the really nice juicy and plump medjool dates for these. Simply split down the middle, remove the pip, put in 1/2 tsp of natural nut butter and then put a whole nut in the middle for some crunch. I find Brazil nuts fit perfectly but you can use any kind. (Brazil nuts are also one of the best ways of making sure you’re getting enough selenium in your diet. A single Brazil nut per day can get you to your daily selenium requirement!) If you’re feeling decadent, you can even drizzle some melted dark chocolate on top of your date. Pop them in the fridge or freezer for 60minutes to firm up and you have a delicious yet nutritious energy boost! Keep in mind that these are quite calorie dense so you don’t want to go overboard but one or two stuffed dates can make a great snack to fuel your busy days.
Next, banana sushi!
Peel a banana and put it lengthways in a plate. Put a thin smear of nut butter on the top half. Sprinkle on some hemp seeds or chia seeds – et voila! So simple yet so satisfying.
And finally, a healthy dip to go with your apple slices
Mix 1/2 tablespoon of greek yoghurt with 1 tablespoon of tahini (sesame seed paste) and sprinkle in some cinnamon. This dip adds a boost of protein and healthy fats to make your fruit a lot more filling and sustaining and is also a great source of calcium.
Sweet treats don’t have to require hours of baking in the kitchen. Just start with a fruit of your choice, add in a nut or seed product for some creaminess/crunch and get creative!