Did you know? Sweet potato is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and iron. It is perfect for those trying to lose weight as it is fat-free.
It is close to 5 pm. You are tied to your office chair and suddenly your stomach begins to growl. The hunger pangs have struck. Not surprising since you had your lunch at 1 pm and you have, since then, used up every morsel working hard.
Now the same old question arises…should you go for a vada pav or order a plate of samosa; should it be sevpuri?
Stop right there. Wasn’t it just a week back that you had promised to eat healthily?
Well then, staying away from anything that is on the naughty list of sinful calories is the first step. While you wonder what is so healthy, tasty and readily available at 5 pm near your office, we jump into curate a list of deli-healthy snacks you can freely munch on. Better still, carry them in your bag and reach out when the hunger moment strikes.
Corn (bhutta) on the cob: A’maize’ing!!
Monsoon and corn….who on this beautiful earth can resist this combo made in heaven? Order for sweet corn roasted or grilled on charcoal. You can also try the steamed variety. Reap benefits of this low on calories but rich in nutrients maize. It is good for your digestive track and helps reduce cardiovascular diseases (a morbid fear every office-goer lives by). Additionally, the fiber in the corn will keep you feeling full for a long time. Give it the tangy twist by rubbing lime and a wee bit of salt. You can also relish it with mint, coriander and green chili chutney to send thrills down your spine.
Fruits: Yahoo Fruity!!
We are not hinting at just peel and eat fruits; we are suggesting something more exciting. Carry a fruit platter from home. Before leaving. peel an orange, cut in some apples, slice up a banana and garnish with some chikoo…actually, you can take any fruit of your choice. Toss it together and pack in an airtight container.
If you want an edgy twist, add a dash of black salt or chat masala and sprinkle jeera powder to give it the “hmmm so yumm” taste. Rich in healthy antioxidants and vitamins, this platter promises to take care of those unstoppable hunger pangs. If you are true blue “yahoo fruity” person, add fruits like tangerine, guava, cherries, plums, peaches, anything in season….Try it and it won’t fail you.
Nuts: How nutty are you?
Okay, we are not pulling your leg. This is just to say that if you are the healthy nutty type, then a medley of nuts and dry fruits will work wonders for you. Take a handful of walnuts, throw in some apricot, raisins and khajoor, few almonds and some cashews…mix all the ingredients for your mid-day snack. This deli-healthy snack will ensure that you will never go for any other snack for a long time.
Chanaa and peanuts:
Humble as it may sound, this combo makes for one of the most healthy and cheap alternative to stop the growling stomach from making noises. More of chanaa and some peanuts is a fantastic variant for the 5 pm munch time. Try and avoid the salted variety. Steamed groundnuts are a better choice.
Sweet potato or shakarkhandi, roasted or grilled on charcoal and softened to taste…Lord how yummy can it get! It keeps you satiated for long and is absolutely delicious.
Some nutrition fact about sweet potato will charm you…this super food is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and iron. It is great for those trying to lose weight as it is zero in fat. So replace your sev puri or fried aloo chaat with shakarkhandi and pave your way to great times.
Boiled black gram/ chickpeas/ sprouts:
We all know how healthy sprouts are. Besides, they are energy boosters too. Boil them and add your garnish like coriander and mint chutney, dash of black salt, lime, sprinkle few bits of tomatoes and what do you have here….a sumptuous tea time snack.
Idli, upma, poha:
This is the ideal Indian way to keep you healthy and full. They are filling and make for a tasty midday snack.
Salad:
Now, this may sound boring, but this posh variety of mid-day bite can be edgy and fun too. Try mixing fruits with your veggie salad, drizzle in lime juice, and a dash of black salt or chat masala. Adding jeera powder will give it a more savvy taste. Many happy salad days to you.
Kurmura / Murmura (Puffed rice):
Ditch your regular bhel puri, prepare a plate of fantastic bhel with kurmura and watch it being a highlight of your evening. Carry a small jar of homemade sweet chutney and green chutney and make this a lip smacking mid-day munch. Eating kurmura by itself can be boring so mix tomatoes, sprouts, green chutney to make a healthy nibble.
Grilled sandwich:
Yes, as we are talking healthy so make that grilled with less or no butter. Apply chutney instead of butter. Try and reduce all the naughty ingredients like butter, cheese, etc., in your sandwich restricting to ‘health is wealth’ ingredients only.
Lastly, drink enough water. Keep yourself hydrated even when you are in an air-conditioned room. With 10 winning choices for your mid-day bite, you now know how to deal with those stomach growls.
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