Healthy snack recipes abound. There is a problem however with the way you think about snacks. Let’s explore what constitutes a health snack food then we will build them into healthy snack recipes.

Fast Food Is Bad

The first thing you have to admit to yourself is that fast food is bad for you. Of course you know this. It is a well-known fact.

But what is a fast food?

Why is it bad for you?

Let’s take those questions in order.

What is fast food? Fast food is ready-to-eat victuals. It may be a burger and fries from the local fast food joint. Or it may be a “quick snack” wrapped in cellophane. Any food of this type is bad for you.

Why are they bad? Fast foods are bad for you because they usually contain high amounts of fat, some of which are the particularly harmful trans-fats. Trans-fats are chemically changed to give foods containing them a longer shelf life.

Unfortunately, trans-fats have been shown by numerous studies to promote heart and arterial disease. It may take years or decades for these disease processes to present themselves but they cause havoc (and possibly even death) when they do become evident.

Fast foods also contain unnecessarily large amounts of sugar and/or salt which can be harmful in the long run. Studies have shown arterial plaques forming in very small children who consume these types of foods. That is reason for alarm.

So what food is good for a snack?

Wise Eating

Naturally healthy foods such as raw vegetables make excellent healthy snacks. The raw food enzymes found in them are necessary for proper digestion and a number of bodily functions.

But what if you don’t like vegetables?

You can use a cream cheese fruit dip as a vegetable dip. A sweet, creamy dip may help you make the transition to healthier eating. Try this dip and serve it with vegetables and fruit.

Cream Cheese And Yogurt Vegetable/Fruit Dip

*Eight ounces of fat free cream cheese, softened
*Eight ounces of non-fat plain yogurt
*Two tablespoons of honey

Beat cream cheese until fluffy then slowly add yogurt and honey while continuing to beat the mix. Garnish with alternating strips of shredded coconut and finely ground nuts (walnuts or pecans work well).

The folks who are into healthy eating know that wise eating habits include preparing tasty foods that just happen to be good for you. You can’t expect to eat foods that don’t taste good.

Olive Oil Bread/Vegetable Dip

Olive oil is a good foundation for a heart smart diet and is easily used to create healthy snack recipes.

To slowly change your eating habits to a more healthy style you have to take baby steps. This will allow you time to learn to appreciate new foods you may not have tried before.

Try this snack idea:
Mix the following in a shallow bowl:
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced garlic (from a jar is fine)
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Pour 1/3-cup extra virgin olive oil (first pressed) over the seasoning mixture. Serve with hearty whole grain bread. Don’t use tasteless white bread!

Cut the whole grain bread into strips and toast in the oven on a baking sheet. You can stagger strips of colorful raw vegetables in a circular pattern on a platter interspersed with strips of toasted bread to make a great visual presentation for your snack.