4 Options for Healthy Plastic-Free Snacks
At the beginning of the year we’re always more conscious of our diet. While you’re reaching for some healthier snacks, why not also make sure they’re also plastic-free. Just remember it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit, so give yourself time to get into the habits before you consider abandoning it. Here are some easy options for healthy plastic-free snacks.
Whole Raw Fruits & Vegetables
The most obvious option would be to pick any whole fruit or vegetable. I say whole because any cut up version will most likely be packaged in plastic. Plus, it will cost more since you’re paying for the work someone put into cutting the fruit or vegetables and you’re paying for the plastic packaging.
My kids love snacking on bell peppers, cucumbers, apples, and berries. But there are plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables that are great raw:
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Plums
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Carrots
- Bell Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Avocados
- Snap Peas
To jazz up these raw fruits or vegetables you can add a dip such as peanut butter, homemade hummus or guacamole.
Bulk Bin Snacks
Check out your local bulk bins for some dry options such as:
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Cashews
- Trail Mix
- Raisins
- Dried Fruits
- Crackers
- Popcorn Kernels
One of my favorite snacks is popcorn. I like to drizzle a little olive oil and sprinkle some garlic powder and salt on top. I simply spoon some into a glass bowl and put a glass plate on top of the bowl. I cook it in the microwave for two minutes and voila! Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, it’s hot! Use some oven mitts to remove the plate and bowl from the microwave. You can also cook the popcorn kernels on the stovetop or which a popcorn machine.
Deli Cheeses
When eating my bell peppers or apples as a snack I usually add a little cheese. As much as I would love to give up cheese, old habits die hard. I get my cheese at the deli and after the clerk has weighed the cheese, I ask them to hand it to me so I can put it in my own silicone bag. Then I put the weighed price tag on it so the cashier can scan it. It’s an easy plastic-free way to get cheese.
DIY Snacks
If you need a little more flavor or variety, try making your own trail mix, crackers, veggie chips, granola, or hummus. My kids and husband love my easy homemade granola. Here’s the recipe:
- 1 cup oats
- 1/3 cup chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix ingredients and pour onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 250F for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.
You can make your own healthy veggie chips by slicing different vegetables thinly and roasting them in the oven. Some vegetables that make great chips include:
- Sweet potatoes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Kale
- Zucchini
- Broccoli Stalks
- Parsnips
What do you think? Can you choose one of these healthy plastic-free options when it’s time for a snack?
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