Healthy Alternatives to Junk Food

July 21, 2016

Happy World Health Day!

Like most of us, our kids enjoy a treat every now and then, but at Mercy Home, we focus mainly on healthy eating!

Our Mercy Home Chef Nyah has also whipped up some simple (but delicious) recipes you can try out today! Take a look at the videos below to see how you can make your own parmesan popcorn and savory sweet potato chips.

Enjoy!

Popcorn

Air-popped popcorn is a great snack option. Popcorn is a whole grain and contains B vitamins for energy production and minerals including magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and manganese. To keep it low-calorie, avoid the movie theater variety that is often topped with extra salt and butter.

Veggies and Hummus

Hummus, a Middle Eastern dip made of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini, is a healthy option, particularly when paired with veggies. Hummus is a good source of protein, iron, and vitamins and minerals. As a bonus, it’s full of heart-healthy unsaturated fat and comes in a variety of flavors.

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

There is a healthier way to satisfy your craving for potato chips! Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin B1, B2, and B6. Best of all, by baking these chips yourself, the nutritional value won’t be lost in the deep fryer.

Fresh Fruit Cup

If you prefer sweet snacks to savory, a great way to healthfully satisfy that sweet tooth is with a cup of fresh fruit. Fruit is a great source of potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. If you want your fruit cup to feel more like a treat, add a small dollop of whipped cream.

Thank you to all of our generous donors for making it possible to provide healthy meals to our boys and girls.

What’s your favorite healthy snack? Let us know in the comments!