Top Healthy Snacks To Fuel Your Staycation

We’re all looking for ways to keep our spirits up at the moment and many of us are looking longingly into the fridge for just that too. If you’ve been tied to your laptop all week, you might be quite looking forward to the weekend. But how are you going to fill the days? By making delicious staycation snacks of course! Here are some of our favourites…

Banana Split

Self-isolation got you monkeying about? Bananas provide the perfect amount of slow-release carbohydrates to fuel you through those movie marathons. This means that you’ll be less likely to reach for the biscuit tin 20 minutes post-snack. Plus, the longer you leave a banana to ripen, the sweeter the banana will become — perfect if you’re after something to soothe a sweet tooth. Simply slice the banana in half lengthways and fill with Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit (we love raspberries!) and nuts.

Mini Ploughman’s Cheese Board

This isn’t one just for those who work on a farm. A ploughman’s board is also a great way to consume protein, a macronutrient that keeps you feeling full for longer. Ham and cheese are two of the main ingredients, naturally providing all nine essential amino acids to build and repair muscle. Serve these protein-filled foods with a selection of bread, cucumber, tomatoes, boiled egg, grapes, pickled onions, or even a stalk or three of celery.

Strawberries Dipped In Chocolate

Aside from being beautifully aesthetic and vibrant in colour, these naturally sweet berries are a good source of fibre, vitamin C and manganese. Dipping strawberries into dark chocolate will not only help to transform your staycation into a romantic get-away, but will also provide several essential minerals. Chocolate with a high cocoa percentage is loaded with iron which is a necessary component of our blood, keeping fatigue at bay — we know how exhausting all this binge-watching can be.

Popcorn

Popcorn is generally associated with the cinema, which is perfect for your staycation! Recreate a favoured pastime at home by bringing out these popped kernels and flavouring with a little salt or some spices. These kernels may be small in size, but they’re a powerhouse for polyphenols, an antioxidant which adds to our protection against harmful diseases. Bonus points if you combine your popcorn with nuts, pieces of dark chocolate or a small handful of dried fruit to create your own tasty trail mix.

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Making your own energy balls is not only a fun activity to entertain yourself during your staycation, but it’s also a great way to get creative with all the food in your store cupboard. There’s a huge array of recipes out there to create your own homemade energy balls, so why not find one with peanut butter? Two tablespoons of peanut butter can provide 8g of protein, as well as a good serving of healthy fats to boost the health of your heart. For an added benefit, try to buy natural peanut butter which is made purely with peanuts and a pinch of salt. Check out some of our own protein ball recipes.

Frozen Yoghurt

Transport your taste buds to sunny Italy by mixing natural yoghurt with a handful of fruit (frozen works best but fresh is fine) and a drizzle of honey or sugar. Either freeze in a lollypop mould, or stir into a plastic container, freeze and scoop into serving bowls. Natural yoghurt is a showstopper when it comes to nutrition. This dairy product provides vitamin B12 to support the immune system and yield energy, vitamin B2 to help our nervous system, and calcium to maintain strong bones and teeth. That’s not to mention the protein content or probiotic factor of this powerful ingredient.

Take-Home Message

We’ve provided just a few examples of foods that will fuel you during those hours that you’re engrossed in a book, films, or post-home workout, but this is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen and experiment. Sticking to food that’s as natural as possible while keeping yourself and your taste buds happy will help you keep on track with your fitness goals during your staycation.