Enjoy a nutrition boost with these delicious and healthy movie snacks!
Do you love to munch on something while watching movies?
I do. And a couple of years ago, you wouldn’t ever see me without a (large) bucket of popcorn when in a cinema.
The problem though, while traditional movie snacks like popcorn aren’t unhealthy by themselves, the amount of salt, butter, or sugar added is typically, well, a nightmare that Freddie Krueger himself would approve of. Doubly so if you have existing health concerns.
If you must feast on something while enjoying a film, consider instead these healthy alternatives. Not only are they just as delicious, your body will also appreciate all the nourishments you’re swallowing with each mouthful.
1. Natural Almonds
Crunchy almonds are mini powerhouses of nutritional benefits. Other than a great source of protein, fibre, Vitamin E, Magnesium, and Potassium, they are known to lower cholesterol levels. Almonds are additionally rich in monounsaturated fats, which can protect against heart diseases.
What’s more, they make you feel full for longer periods, which means you can comfortably binge-watch for hours with these mini gems without having to break for a haphazard meal. For best benefits, enjoy these healthy movie snacks natural, i.e., whole and not roasted or blanched.
2. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are not only wonderfully rustic in taste, they are also a fantastic source of antioxidants. In a “nutshell,” antioxidants protect against oxidative stress, this being capable of damaging cells. Oxidative stress also heightens ageing, cancer, and heart disease risks.
The healthy fats in hazelnuts additionally lower cholesterol levels, with studies such as this showing consumption of them as capable of improving cholesterol, triglycerides, and bad LDL cholesterol levels. Lastly, they are just wonderful to crunch on, aren’t they? Their creamy taste is also delightfully long-lasting and fragrant.
3. Pistachios
Like almonds, pistachios are among the best movie snacks to have if you’re looking to improve cardiovascular health, thanks to their high levels of minerals and unsaturated fat. They are also one of the lowest-calorie nuts, making them a superb choice if you’re watching your daily calorie intake.
Full of potassium, they are capable of providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits too. While their superb levels of fibre keep you full for longer and promote healthy gut bacteria.
Nutrients aside, pistachios are flavourful, with an earthly and slightly sweet taste. In Chinese, these uniquely-shaped nuts are called kai-xing-guo, or the happy fruit. Your body will certainly feel “happy,” even thrilled when you’re feeding it with this superfood.
4. Black Sesame Sprouted Cookies with Chia and Flax Seeds by Rainbows Sprouted
I used the term “superfood” above. With that, it’s only right that I include Chia Seeds and Flax Seeds on this list.
The former is one of the richest sources of α-linolenic acid i.e. omega-3 fatty acid in the world. This nutrient is considered crucial for cardiovascular health, with chia seeds also historically cherished by the Aztec for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. (You know, the legendary Aztec warriors who can fight or run all day long)
Flax seeds, on the other hand, count among the oldest crops cultivated by mankind, with their many health benefits earning them the name Linum usitatissimum, which means “the most useful.” Nutrition-wise, they are rich in many nutrients and the above-mentioned omega-3 fatty acid. Notably, flax seeds also contain Lignans. This is a plant compound capable of lowering the risks of cancer.
As healthy movie snacks, however, both “super” seeds aren’t exactly delicious to eat. Some might even mind their slightly powdery taste. That said, when baked into cookies with sprouted wheatmeal and flavoured with black sesame, they are a different experience. With the cookies just as delightful, if not better than classic ones.
Needless to say, sprouted grains and black sesame bring with them their own set of nutritional goodies. These cookies, which combine the best of many worlds, could easily be considered one of the healthiest snacks possible.
5. Seed Sprouted Cookies with Chia and Flax Seeds by Rainbows Sprouted
This is an alternative to (4) if you’re not into the taste of sesame. In replacement are the above-mentioned almonds and sunflower seeds. The latter is a famous champion when it comes to Vitamin E and Selenium; Selenium being a powerful antioxidant.
6. Organic Soft Dried Apricots
I love apricots, whether when included in desserts or by themselves.
Well-worthy of the epithet “Nature’s sweet,” their juicy sweetness is delightfully refreshing. In some cases, even rejuvenating.
And when naturally dried without the addition of sulphur, they retain all their vitamins and minerals, without any compromise in taste. Making them perfect as healthy movie snacks to chew on for hours.
Of note, like carrots, fresh apricots are orange in colour because of beta carotene. This is an organic pigment that the human body uses to create Vitamin A, i.e., the vitamin necessary for eye and skin health.
To put it in another way, eating apricots will not only nourish eyes strained by hours of movie watching, they can improve your complexion too. Have enough and you would soon look as fabulous as the movie stars you’re staring at.
7. Organic Soft Dried Figs
This is well-known nowadays. But in case you haven’t heard, figs are a spectacular source of calcium. In fact, no other dried fruit contains as much calcium as dried figs. They even contain far more calcium than milk.
This means that if you are lactose intolerant, figs are a great, if not a far better alternative, to hitting your daily calcium requirements.
On top of which, figs are rich in various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are furthermore high in complex carbohydrates.
Compared to simple carbohydrates found in candies and white bread, complex carbohydrates contain more nutrients and enable you to feel full longer. Complex carbohydrates are also suitable for folks with type 2 diabetes, as they moderate blood sugar spikes after meals.
This post is a collaboration with Foodsterr Singapore. Dedicated to the philosophy of eating right, Foodsterr sources its premium products from all over the world. Visit their online store today to take a look!
My Other Geeky Lifestyle Posts
