8 MUST TRY HEALTHY SNACKS FOR MOVIE NIGHT

I absolutely love movie nights at our house. Sometimes it’s only my husband and I, and

occasionally we have family or friends over so it’s a bit of a crowd. Either way it takes almost as

long to pick the movie as it does to watch it. Yes, it is a serious business! Naturally, as the movie continues the hunt for snacks begins. Sometimes the snacking gets out of hand, especially if it’s in the hands of my husband. Since the pandemic, we have been having more movie nights than usual which means more unhealthy snacks. Snacks which leave you feeling guilty and a little bloated! Yes, I’m looking at you potato chips!

The not-so secret ingredients for a healthy snack are protein and fibre. Why protein? Protein slows the emptying of your stomach which helps to keep full for a longer time. When paired with carbohydrate, protein slows the absorption of sugars (from the carbohydrate) into the blood which means slower rise of blood sugar and longer lasting energy. Why fibre? Similar to protein, fibre slows the absorption of sugars leading to a longer lasting energy. Fibre does not get digested so it helps to feel full for a long time. Incorporating small amount of healthy fats is a good idea as fat also helps with satiety. Another important thing to remember is to have a nourishing and balanced dinner so that you don’t get too hungry at night. To save the night and our waistlines, I have come up with a list of my top favorite, dietitian-approved snacks for movie night. Hope you enjoy them!

1. Roasted chickpeas. Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fibre which makes them

an excellent all-in-one snack. Try this recipe for Crispy Cajun Roasted Chickpeas which

are so crunchy and always a hit.

2. Whole grain pita chips and hummus. This snack combo will give you fibre and protein,

the two components of a winner snack. Simply, cut a whole grain pita in triangles (like

you cut a pizza), brush it with a little bit of olive oil and seasoning, like Italian seasoning.

Toast the pita in a toaster oven until crispy. Limit to ½ of a 6 inch pita and 2 tablespoons

of hummus. Guacamole works well too.

3. Apple slices drizzled with almond butter. This is one of my favorites. It’s so refreshing

and crunchy. The protein and fat in the almond butter makes it filling and help curb your

hunger. Any nut butter or soy butter also work well.

4. Spicy roasted almonds. This one is always a hit. I coat almonds with olive oil, garlic

powder, salt, chili powder and honey. Then toss them in the toaster oven for 10 minutes

at 350 F. For the full recipe check out Spicy Roasted Almonds.

5. Strawberry slices paired with unsweetened shredded coconut and pecans.

Strawberries are very low in sugar and the suggested serving size is 2 cups! Adding a

spoon of shredded coconut and ¼ cup pecans will add healthy fats and protein which

makes this a balanced and satisfying snack. Add a teaspoon of dark chocolate chips to

kick up the flavor.

6. Popcorn. This is a no-brainer when it comes to movie night. But is it healthy? The

answer is yes, but it depends on the type and amount you eat. Popcorn is a whole grain

that is naturally high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is also low in calories, about 31

calories in 1 cup, which is a lot lower than other snacks such as potato chips. How much

to eat? The suggested serving for popcorn is 3 cups, which will keep the snack to about a

100 calories.

Which type of popcorn to eat? Pre-made popcorn, such as the one available at movie

theatres or in packages, is typically very high in unhealthy fats and calories. Pre-

packaged microwave popcorn may not be a healthy choice because of the potentially

harmful chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) used in the lining of the bag.

Microwave popcorn may also contain hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils, which

contain trans fats – an unhealthy type of fat linked to heart disease. You will also find

artificial flavors and preservatives in this variety of popcorn. The healthiest way is to make your own popcorn on the stove or in an air-popper machine. Try this super easy recipe for Homemade Popcorn. Use your favorite herbs and spices to flavor popcorn or cinnamon and chocolate shavings for the sweet tooth.

7. Frozen grapes. If you haven’t tried this yet – you must. It’s delicious and super easy to

prepare. All you do is wash grapes (any type you like), place them in a freezer bag and

freeze them. You can freeze the grapes overnight or even 4-5 hours until they are frozen

solid.

8. Trail Mix. Homemade trail mix is a heart-healthy alternative to commercially prepared

varieties as it can be low in sodium and high in fibre. Simply combine unsalted nuts

and/or seeds of your choice, dried fruit of your choice and a bit of fun stuff like dark

chocolate, shredded coconut or even a few M&M’s. One of my favorite trail mix

includes: pistachios + pumpkin seeds + cranberries. Another one is roasted almonds +

chocolate chips + popcorn. The combinations are endless!

Did you try any of these snacks? What are some of your favorite movie night snacks? Comment below and let me know!