There’s no doubt about it – we’re a nation of snackers. In fact, the snack business in the UK is worth an astonishing £3billion. But what we eat between meals could be having a serious impact on our health.
A study from Zoe found that a quarter of us are undoing the benefits of healthy meals because of poor snack choices, and with one in three eating more than two snacks a day, it’s easy to see why opting for something more nutritious could make a big difference. “Snacking can be a helpful way of meeting your nutritional needs during the day. But it all depends what you choose to eat,” says Sammie Gill, dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association.
“When you look in shops it can be hard to find something healthy. So be prepared – buy snacks in advance and take them with you so you don’t find yourself hungry and grabbing the wrong thing,” adds nutritionist Bex Prade . Here, they reveal the hidden benefits found in 10 healthy snacks.
Olives: Lower blood sugar Whether green or black, olives are packed with nutrients. “Olives are high in monounsaturated fats that help protect against heart disease and rich in vitamin A for eye health,” says Bex. However, new research has found that olives could help you lose weight, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
“The study discovered that elenolic acid, a naturally occurring compound in olives, may aid weight loss,” says Sammie. “This is because elenolic acid works in the gut to release me.