Whether you're a vegetarian or simply looking for some meat-free alternatives to introduce into your diet, there are many vegetarian snacks that are healthy and easy to prepare. By taking some time to prepare your own healthy vegetarian snacks, you can avoid the excess fat and sodium that are found in many commercially available snack foods.
Get Your Protein with Hummus
Enjoy hummus with fresh veggies and pita bread. Hummus is a mild-tasting spread that is made by mixing puréed garbanzo beans with tahini and a bit of sea salt. The spread is full of protein and is delicious with chopped-up carrots, celery or pita bread. When shopping for pita bread chips, avoid chips that have been deep fried. Instead, look for baked pita bread chips that contain a minimal amount of salt. You can also make your own by cutting up pita bread with a pizza cutter and baking until the pieces turn slightly brown and crispy.
Make Your Own Frozen Bananas
Instead of snacking on Popsicles that may contain high-fructose corn syrup, satisfy your sweet tooth by preparing your own frozen bananas. Bananas are high in potassium, low in fat and have a considerable amount of fiber. To prepare frozen bananas, simply peel the bananas and place in the freezer until they are nearly solid. For a bit of vegetarian protein, smear the banana with a bit of peanut butter.
Enjoy a Healthy Snack on the Go with Dried Fruit
Snack on dried fruit such as apples, mangoes or peaches. Dried fruit takes up less space than whole fruit and doesn't need to be refrigerated, making it the perfect vegetarian snack to pack in your child's lunch or on a camping trip. Just make sure the dried fruit you purchase doesn't contain any added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup. If you have a food dehydrator, you can easily make your own dried fruit.
Tags: pita bread, bread chips, chips that, corn syrup, frozen bananas, high-fructose corn
