New year, new snack habits. No need to stop yourself from satisfying your hunger when you need a boost (please don’t!). When we’re hungry, we often grab what’s available, may it be an apple or uh, those overly processed crackers sitting in your office. Though by now, most of us know those overly processed foods can increase the risk of heart disease, exacerbate stress, and inflame our body’s microbiome. Satisfy your cravings and do your body some good by reaching for these six gut healing snacks instead. Our gut feeling? You won’t regret this.
1. Celery With Almond Butter and Cinnamon
Celery is a prebiotic, which are compounds that encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut. For some added protein, add a serving of almond butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon to lower your blood sugar levels.
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2. Tumeric Muffins
Though you’ll have to prepare these ahead of time, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties make these yummy baked goods worth the effort. The pungent yellow spice also supports digestion by easing food through the gastrointestinal tract. Choose a recipe that forgoes processed ingredients like refined flour. We like this one.
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3. Kefir With Berries and a Small Handful of Walnuts
Choose the plain, full-fat versions (to limit excess sugars), and enjoy all the probiotics Kefir has to offer. Add some berries for some sweetness, and mix in some walnuts for a source of prebiotic fiber.
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4. Baked Sweet Potato With Ghee
Roast a sweet potato (pop this in the oven after work and you can snack on it the next day), and top with ghee (clarified butter). The ghee is a healthy source of anti-inflammatory fats, and the fiber in the sweet potato can help remove toxins from your body.
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5. Banana With Almond Butter
Simple, fast, and a powerhouse prebiotic snack. Chop your bananas and add a spoonful of almond butter to keep you full until your next meal. Add a dash of ginger (powdered is fine, though fresh is always better) for an added anti-inflammatory take on an easy on-the-go meal.
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6. Kimchi
Make a beeline for the fermented section of your grocery store and grab a jar of this Korean staple. The fermented cabbage is full of vitamin A, B, and C, and the healthy bacteria that prevent yeast infections and cancer growth. You can eat kimchi on its own, or add to a plate of steamed veggies.
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