Reducing added sugar does not imply sacrificing great appetisers. Mother of two and holistic dietitian Willow Ramirez has set her goal in developing simple, no-added-sugar snacks bursting with natural goodness. “You will never miss the extra sugar once you start using whole, real ingredients,” she explains.
1. Oat Cookies Made from Banana Bread. Made with just three ingredients—mashed bananas, rolled oats, and cinnamon—these basic cookies “These are naturally sweet and ideal for an afternoon pick-me-up,” Willow says. “For extra texture, I occasionally toss a handful of raisins or chopped nuts.”
2. Date and nutritional balls. Made from naturally delicious and high in fibre, dates are ideal base for homemade energy balls. Willow combines almonds, chia seeds, a small bit of cocoa powder, and pitted dates. “They’re totally natural even though they taste like little chocolate truffles!” she exclaims.
3. Apple Nachos. “This is a fun one, especially for youngsters,” Willow says. She thinly slices apples, slosers almond butter over them, and tops with shredded coconut and dark chocolate chips. “Everything you want in a snack—this is crunchy, creamy, and naturally sweet!”
4. Chia Pudding with Berries. Chia seeds absorb liquids and produce a pleasing, healthy, pudding-like texture. Willow lets it sit overnight combining chia seeds with unsweetened almond milk and vanilla essence. “Top it in the morning with fresh berries and a handful of almonds. Though totally sugar-free, it tastes like dessert!
5. roasted chickpeas with cinnamon. For those who like something crunchy, Willow advises roasting chickpeas with cinnamon and some coconut oil. “They have a natural sweetness from the cinnamon and get so crispy,” she notes. “It’s a terrific substitute for sugary snack mixes.”
6. Bark from frozen yoghurt. Willow freezes till solid, spreads unsweetened Greek yoghurt on a baking sheet, sprinkled fresh berries and crumbled almonds, “then you just break it into pieces like chocolate bark—it’s refreshing and packed with protein!” she says.
“Healthy snacks don’s have to be boring,” Willow reminds us. “You can pique your appetite without depending on added sugar by using whole foods and natural sweetness from fruit.” These snacks show that eating healthy can be just as enjoyable as it is nutritious, whether your taste is for a crunchy delight, an energy boost, or a creamy pleasure.
