HEALTHY LEBANESE SNACKS

The Healthiest Lebanese Snacks for Busy People

The clock is ticking, you’re at work, probably doing some tedious paperwork of sorts, and all you actually want to be doing is eating a candy bar, a bag of chips, or pretty much anything to distract you from the task at hand, fitness be damned. Or, alternatively, you’re just hungry in between meals and want to much on something.

Well, I’m here to tell you that snacking doesn’t have to be a bad thing, there are dozens of ways you can snack without putting on extra weight, or feeling “guilty”, I’ve prepared a list of healthy Lebanese themed snacks that can get you through the day and keep your idle hands busy, and your Fitness goals in check.

Green soybeans

Before the rise of “edamame” in hipster bars and restaurants, we would buy ‘Foul Akhdar Soya’ from men selling them on the streets in Lebanon, and eat them as snacks in the car or at home. This was actually quite a healthy practice as it’s a good source of Vitamin A, calcium, and iron, it’s also low in sodium and does not contain any cholesterol or saturated fats.

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Spiced Chickpeas

When you roast chickpeas in a hot oven, they become super crunchy. They're also a really good low-fat substitute for nuts when you’re craving something salty. Drizzle some olive oil, mix it with cumin and all spice, and you have a great snack ready to take to work with you.

Hummus + Celery/Carrot

Another way to use chickpeas is Hummus! I’ve made my love for hummus very public, it makes me love Lebanon more, and I will sing its praises forever, especially as a low calorie and filling snack, while paired with celery or carrot sticks instead of bread.

Watermelon + Fetta Cheese

I find this to be the most summery and refreshing snack, pairing the sweetness of the watermelon with the mild saltiness of feta cheese (or any other white cheese produced in Lebanon) just makes your mouth happy, and it’s also a very healthy alternative to salt & sweet snacks, like biscuits and chocolate, you get the same satisfaction but with the fraction of the calories.

Raw Unsalted Cashews

If all else fails, and you don’t have energy to prepare anything, just buy raw unsalted cashews, they taste great, and they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Not to mention that they are packed with proteins, but you fitness minded people, be careful as these are still considered fatty nuts, you shouldn’t go overboard with them.