Setting off on your weight loss journey can be difficult enough; the cravings, getting up for your early morning run, or saying no to cake in the office. But for vegans, it can be that little bit harder to find healthy foods that don’t include animal products and are friendly to the planet too.
That’s why we’ve put together some of the best snacks for vegans looking to slim down that are kind to animals but also taste delicious.
Graze Spicy Sriracha Crunch
These nuts make it feel like you’re tucking into a packet of crisps but without the calories and double the taste. Coated in spices and only 120kcal for a 27g portion, they’re much better on the waistline than a pack of crisps.
Montezuma’s Dark Chocolate Giant Buttons
Chocolate is high on the list of the things we all miss when dieting, but it’s full of sugar and contains milk so make the switch to dark chocolate with at least 50% cocoa for the occasional sweet treat. Dark chocolate also contains high levels of antioxidants, meaning it protects your cells against free radicals which may play a role in heart disease and cancer.
Made Good Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
If dark chocolate isn’t your thing, try these granola bars to give you that cocoa hit without the calories. They are 100% vegan and also the UK’s first-ever allergen-free granola snack bar, making them great for all the family.
Hummus and vegetable sticks
You can’t go wrong with home-made hummus and your favourite veggies to snack on throughout the day. Put your twist on it by adding your favourite flavours to the hummus, such as red pepper, avocado, or sun-dried tomato.
Whole Earth Peanut Butter
Peanut butter. On everything. Try it on sliced up apple, on pancakes, or even drizzled over porridge – it’s the perfect versatile snack and high in protein and fibre.
A fruit-filled smoothie
Blending your choice of fruit with plant-based milk can be a great way to get your vitamins and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Add in some chia seeds for those important fatty acids, that are essential to any vegan diet.
Podded edamame beans
You can pick these up at some big supermarkets or your local Asian food supplier and they come frozen in their pods. Pop them in the microwave then drizzle with light soy sauce and a dash of chilli powder for the perfect vegan snack. Just chew on the pods to release the tasty beans inside.
Roasted chickpeas
Chickpeas are high in iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium so they’re a great source of vitamins. Roast tinned chickpeas in a little low calorie cooking spray, a sprinkle of salt, and a dash of garlic granules for a crispy, healthy snack.
Ape Crunchy Coconut Bites
For an alternative plant-based treat, try these delicious coconut bites which come in natural, sesame or chia.
Nakd Bars
If you’re hitting the afternoon slump and need a sweet pick-me-up, these 100% vegan, dairy, wheat, and gluten-free bars are just the tonic. Choose from flavours such as Bakewell Tart, Blueberry Muffin, Cocoa Orange, or Lemon Drizzle.
Losing weight whilst sticking to a vegan diet doesn’t have to be a struggle, just look out for hidden sugars, fats, and high salt content in convenience foods as this is where the hidden calories are lurking.
Also, where possible, make your own snacks so you know exactly what goes into them, filling your diet with nutrient-rich fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts is the best way to still get the vitamins you need, whilst following a meat and dairy-free diet.
Another tip is to get as much fibre into your diet as possible, it really is key when it comes to staving off hunger – opt for leafy greens, oats, fruit and legumes such as lentils, beans and peas. These types of foods take longer to digest, therefore helping you stay full between meals and less likely to turn to calorie-laden foods.
