Diet is the key to a healthy vigorous life. However, sometimes, even the most carefully laid dietary plans do not bear fruit, because people forget to intersperse their meals with snacks. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone cannot meet the nutritional requirements of the body and this shortfall can be met by snacks. They are easy to rustle up and have multitudinous benefits. That is why contemporary dining for people who live by a strict fitness mantra is incomplete without snacks. Here is a list of finger-licking appetizing snacks that will do wonders for anybody’s health:

Mixed Nuts

Mixed nuts are an assortment of various nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, cashews, and hazelnuts. They brim over with nutrients like vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids and healthy fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats- all of which are extremely beneficial for the heart.  The arginine present in them keeps the blood vessels clean of plaque and helps maintain their elasticity. This way, nuts can stabilize blood pressure. They also lower bad cholesterol and regularize bowel movement. The high protein content ensures that the person feels full for a long time and thus keeps weight gain in check. To cap it all, mixed nuts taste delicious and are easy to carry.

Greek Yoghurt and Berries

Greek yoghurt is a reliable source of calcium- the nutrient that is instrumental for strong bones and teeth. It contains probiotics that promote gut health.  This in turn wards of stress, anxiety and depression because healthy guts speed up the passage of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Probiotic yoghurt alleviates hunger pangs and at the same time helps to shed the kilos by increasing the rate of metabolism. When a few berries are thrown in, this delicious dessert becomes a shield for the heart because these little fruits are chock-a-block with anti-oxidants.

Multi-Seed Crisps

Unhealthy corn and potato chips can be replaced with multi-seed crisps. These baked snacks contain a selection of flax seeds, chia seeds, linseeds, sesame seeds and whole wheat. They can prevent prostate enlargement in men and offer protection against Urinary Tract Infection in women. They trigger the production of HDL or good cholesterol, keep the arteries robust and relieve menopausal pain and cramping. These crisps or cookies are easy to bake and people with minimal culinary skills can simply purchase them online.

Dark Chocolate

A small 100-gram bar of lush and sumptuous dark chocolate can rid the body of dangerous free radicals; its anti-oxidant property can keep the heart sturdy. It boosts cognitive abilities, improves blood flow, and protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Cucumber and Hummus

One of the easiest to pack snacks, cucumber slices with a dash of hummus slathered on top can keep your heart going strong because cucumber is all about anti-oxidants and hummus has anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, together they can lower hypertension, prevent fluctuation of blood sugar levels, regulate body temperature and flush out toxins from the body.

The right type of snacks is the mainstay of a healthy diet regime because they fuel the body with all the nutrients that it needs to function consistently.