Incorporate These Healthy Fall Snacks In Your Diet

While we love the cooler weather and the chance to finally wear sweaters, our favorite thing about fall approaching is all the delicious seasonal foods coming our way — yes, pumpkin spice latte, we’re ready for you! With nutritious vegetables like brussels sprout, broccoli, kale, carrots, and pumpkin at their peak, and an abundance of fruits like pears, apples, persimmons, figs, and cranberries in season, it’s easy to make healthy fall snacks.

Here are some ideas for incorporating fall foods into healthy fall snacks:

Maple Candy

Turning maple syrup into candy is very easy, and makes a healthy substitute for fudge. Simply bring syrup to a boil and stir often until it reaches 235 degrees (use a candy thermometer to check heat). Let it cool, then stir until it becomes thick and creamy. Once it’s thick, you can add chopped walnuts, or keep it simple and just pour as-is into candy molds. Let them cool, then pop out of the molds and enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Parfaits

Whether you use fresh or canned pumpkin, the creamy texture pairs well with yogurt (milk-based or dairy-free) to make incredible parfaits. Alternate layers of pumpkin and yogurt, and top with granola and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Don’t let the seeds you scoop out of your Halloween pumpkins go to waste! Toss them in olive oil and roast for a quick and easy snack. Choose spices ranging from cayenne to cinnamon and sugar for a variety of flavor options. While pumpkin seeds make a great snack on their own, they also make a good topping for salads, served on a cheeseboard, or on top of your pumpkin pie yogurt parfaits!

Cranberry Trail Mix

Cranberries are great in muffins, scones, or as a sauce, but they also work well in trail mix, where they add a bit of tart to a snack that usually leans salty. Gather your favorite nuts, some of those roasted pumpkin seeds, mix with some dried cranberries, and you have a perfect snack to take hiking or just to eat at your desk when you need an afternoon pick-me-up.

Baked Pear or Apple

Both pears and apples are in season, and we love the simple treat of baking them with cinnamon and sugar until soft. It’s a quicker, healthier, way to get the feeling of a fruit pie without all the work!

Apple & Pear Salad

If you prefer your fruit raw rather than baked, chop up some pears and apples and toss in a salad with pumpkin seeds, cranberries, crumbles of a strong cheese like blue or gorgonzola, and drizzle with a light vinaigrette dressing to bring it all together. Add some chicken or tempeh if you want to add more protein.

Apple Chips

Unlike store-bought apple chips, making them at home lets you control the amount of sugar use, which they really don’t need thanks to apple’s inherent sweetness. Plus, homemade chips can be baked instead of fried. To make chips, grab an assortment of apple types, wash, core, and thinly slices the apples until you have about 3 cups worth. Place them on a baking sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 200 degrees for 1-2 hours, depending on how crispy you like them. Eat them plain as a snack, or dip in peanut butter or yogurt for a quick and tasty treat.

For more ideas on what to do with fall foods, check out our article on 10 Fall Superfoods and How to Prepare Them.

Categories:
Healthy Lifestyles
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