Having quick, simple, healthy and vegan-friendly snacks on-hand doesn’t have to be hard by any means. Actually, with a little planning, it can be quite easy. It’s really fun and simple to keep your fridge stocked with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, a sure way to get most of the nutrients you will need to keep your body and mind fueled. Combining your produce with nuts, nut butters and seeds will make your snack even more substantial. These snacks are not just for strict vegan, but for anyone looking for some handy, healthy snacks. Naturally, fruit and veggies are great snacks and should be at the top of anyone’s snacking list. However, here’s a list of other snack ideas.
Some of the Healthier Vegan Snack Ideas:
- Vegan yogurt with granola or fruit
- Baked tofu, store-bought or homemade
- Tofu jerky
- Pretzels
- Rice cakes with peanut butter or jam
- Edamame
- Granola
- Kale chips
- Vegan trail mix
- Sweet potato fries
- Pita and hummus
- Pita and baba ghanoush
- Dates (watch these, very high in calories)
- Apples, bananas or celery with peanut butter or another nut butter
- Nuts, sunflower seeds
- Applesauce
- Dried fruit
- Granola bars or protein bars
- Banana chips
- Dehydrated fruit leathers
- Crackers with olive tapenade
- Chips and salsa
- Chips and guacamole
- Veggies with goddess dressing
- Cucumbers with vegan sour cream
- Frozen grapes
- Soy nuts
- Popcorn (really good with nutritional yeast)
- Sesame sticks
- Graham crackers (not Honey Grahams)
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crackers with pesto
- Chips with bean dip (store bought or homemade)
- Homemade granola bars
- Bagel with peanut butter, hummus or guacamole
- Vegan muffins
- Vegan brochette
A Bit Less Healthy Snack Ideas:
- Vegan ice cream
- Vegan cookies
- Vegan deli meats wrapped with vegan cheese
- Frozen hash browns, French fries or tater tots
- Vegan chocolate
- Vegetarian pepperoni slices
- Fried or baked zucchini chips
*Note: It’s best to avoid vending machines, though the snacks served by them may be convenient, the vegan options (if there are any) are often lacking the nutrients you need. They’re also not the best sources of energy.
Tips:
- Make an extra large (or double) batch of muffins, and cookies, etc. and freeze them.
- Clean and cut your fruits and veggies for the week ahead and put them in the fridge until you’re ready.
- Soak your nuts and seeds in advance and dehydrate them and they’ll be ready to grab and go.
- If a dip will be part of your weeks’ snacks menu, prepare it ahead of time and refrigerate.
- When planning your meals for the week, plan your snacks also.
Bonus Recipe:
Vegan Cheese Dip
- 1 Can – 15½ oz. Great Northern, Navy or Cannellini Beans (drained)
- ½ Cup – Roasted Red Pepper (or Pimiento)
- 3 Tbsp. – Nutritional Yeast
- 3 Tbsp. – Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 3 Tbsp. – Sesame Tahini
- 1 tsp. – Sea salt
- 1 tsp. – Yellow Mustard
- 1 tsp. – Onion Powder or Granulated Onion (not onion salt)
Put everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. Can be stored in fridge for up to a week.
Stay tuned…Coming soon…The next series of articles will cover the spiritual/mental/emotional aspects of a vegan diet and lifestyle.
Rae Indigo is ERYT 500