Why not try our organic Omega Seed Mix. Keep a small pack handy to keep hunger at bay.
Treat yourself without it costing the earth and keep healthy too with plastic free snacks!
We all enjoy a snack and if we choose our snacks carefully then they can be good for us. Choosing plastic free snacks will also be good for the planet. Snacking well can help to keep blood sugar levels stable and stave off the hunger pangs.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to snack on. Particularly hard if you want to avoid the ubiquitous plastic wrapping that so many snack bars are wrapped in.
Below are some suggestions for plastic free snacks that you can buy from our website. They are packed in cellulose bags that readily break down in your home compost bin.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds may be small in size, but they are big when it comes to nutrition. They are rich sources of vitamins and minerals. A good plant-based protein source, they also often contain monounsaturated fats, essential omega-3 fatty acids and phytosterol phytonutrients that do wonders for promoting overall health.
Best eaten raw, they are delicious, nutritious and highly portable. Carry them in the plastic free bag they are packed in, or invest in a small reusable tub.
What are the health benefits?
Almonds, peanuts and walnuts are three of the worlds healthiest nuts and eaten every day in small quantities have been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease and strokes when eaten as part of a healthy diet.
Many nuts and seeds are concentrated sources of “good fats” such as omega-3 essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) as well as heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, such as oleic acid.
Nuts and seeds are great for satisfying your appetite. They fill you up and provide long-lasting energy through the day whilst maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Although nuts and seeds are high in calories, a small amount will go a long way in sating your hunger. You often end up consuming fewer calories than when you eat other foods which have fewer calories but do not sustain you for the same length of time.
How much should I eat?
Leading health organisations recommend five servings of nuts and seeds every week. For optimum benefits, it may be best to eat 42g of nuts or seeds every day. You can easily achieve this by having a snack of nuts, seeds or a mixture either mid-morning or mid-afternoon. While buying them packed in cellulose bags means your plastic free snack is also not harming the planet.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is fruit with most of the water content removed. You can find all kinds of dried fruit from apples to white mulberries. The most popular include raisins, dates, prunes, figs and apricots. All of these are available as plastic free snacks from our website, Real Plastic Free
What are the health benefits?
Dried fruit is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Generally they contain more fibre than the same-sized serving of their fresh counterparts. Fibre helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly.
Also, dried fruits are a rich source of antioxidants. Because most of the water is extracted from dried fruits, their nutrients are condensed into a small package. Dried fruits like apricots, raisins, prunes and figs contain high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin E, niacin, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium,
Eating dried fruit can easily increase your intake of nutrients. They also contain significant calories per serving, making them a natural source of energy for athletes. Containing little to no fat, they are a good supplement for people seeking to gain weight in a healthy way.
Eating raisins may improve blood sugar control and lower blood pressure while eating prunes is a great way to add a natural laxative to your daily diet.
How much should I eat?
There is a ‘BUT’ though. Dried fruits are relatively high in calories and sugar – up to 66% sugar in the case of dates. Eating too much of any dried fruit can, therefore, contribute to weight gain.
Buy your dried fruit in plastic free bags for snacking. But, enjoy your dried fruits by the handful, not by the bowlful!
