Healthy Snack Traditions From Around The World

[caption id="attachment_828435" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Side portrait of beautiful young black woman eating ice cream outside[/caption] America’s snacking industry is a big one, but it’s not exactly a healthy one. Snacks get their own aisle at the grocery store, but that aisle doesn’t have refrigerators because—you guessed it—that food isn’t fresh! It comes in shiny aluminum bags or wrappers with colorful logos on them. Snacks that do come in refrigerators aren’t something to brag about either. Most snack packs are some combination of crackers, meat, cheese and (if you’re lucky) fruit or nuts. Then there are the vending machines around every corner. Perhaps because our snacks aren’t healthy, the act of snacking has become taboo. That is a shame because, when done right, snacking can actually be an ally in your healthy eating goals. In fact, there is a good chance that the healthiest people you know are major snackers. So let’s try this: here are healthy snacking traditions from around the world. [caption id="attachment_828436" align="alignleft" width="421"] Bigstockphoto.com/A closeup of traditional south african biltong on a wooden chopping board[/caption]

South Africa

When South Africans need a quick source of protein that won’t go bad in the car, they grab Biltong. Biltong is similar to jerky and usually made into lean strips that are easy to carry.           [caption id="attachment_825503" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/White plate full of delicious raw protein balls. Healthy sweets for sport people. Homemade dessert. Raw sweets made of nuts coconut dates and cacao[/caption]

Morocco

Moroccans are known for being creative with dried fruits and that’s certainly the case with their Haroset. Eaten for dessert, breakfast, or a quick snack, these tasty balls are made from dried fruit, honey, and almonds, offering protein, fiber, and a natural source of sugar.       [caption id="attachment_617605" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Greece

Greeks make delicious mezze platters for friends and family to snack on between meals or during social visits. These might contain an assortment of seasonal vegetables, but they’ll almost always have hummus, which has lots of protein and little fat. [caption id="attachment_828442" align="alignleft" width="429"] Bigstockphoto.com/ethiopian cuisine isolated on white background[/caption]

Ethiopia

When Ethiopians need a quick pick-me-up, they might have some Injera (soft, flat bread made from highly nutritious teff flower) and load it up with either honey and yogurt or vegetables.         [caption id="attachment_828443" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Chicken Satay; barbecued skewered chicken shown on white plate with peanut dipping sauce on the side.[/caption]

Indonesia

You can find satay sold on street carts in Indonesia. It’s a portable, delicious source of protein you eat off a stick and won’t make a mess.             [caption id="attachment_701440" align="alignleft" width="427"] Acai berries. Photo: YouTube.com[/caption]

Brazil

Acai bowls are very popular in the United States now, but they originated in Brazil. These bowls contain the superfood they’re named after, plus other ingredients like grains and various fruit.         [caption id="attachment_825491" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Anchovies in breadcrumbs and fried in oil. Cooked and ready. Italian culinary specialties.[/caption]

Spain

If you have a hankering for something fried, try fried anchovies—that’s what they snack on in Spain. These little fried fish are a good source of protein and omegas, and healthier than French fries.         [caption id="attachment_828444" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Canapes with smoked salmon[/caption]

Norway

Norwegians eat smoked salmon on knacker bread (a dark, cracker-like bread that’s high in fiber) when they need some rapid energy. It’s a great source of protein and fiber.         [caption id="attachment_828445" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/fresh sliced halva on a board on a table[/caption]

Egypt

In Egypt, you might find Halawa on the breakfast, snack or dessert table. It’s made from sesame paste, which has plenty of vitamins, mixed in with pistachios. It’s the Egyptian’s energy bar.       [caption id="attachment_828446" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Peruvian-style ceviche made out of raw mahi-mahi fish (Spanish: perico) red onions and aji (Peruvian hot pepper) and served with roasted corn (cancha) and cooked corn. In the back Peruvian cocktail called "Pisco Sour" limes and a flower. (Selective Focus[/caption]

Peru

In Peru, ceviche can be eaten as an entree, appetizer, or a quick snack. It's often served over cancha, roasted corn kernels.               [caption id="attachment_707013" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Nigeria

Nigerians snack on fruit salad. They favor tropical fruit like mango, dragon fruit, kiwi, and pineapple. You may also find mulberries, soursop and mint leaves in these salads.         [caption id="attachment_828447" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Edamame soy beans in a white ceramic dish[/caption]

Japan

Edamame isn’t just an appetizer—it also makes a simple, tasty snack that’s high in fiber and protein. For a more portable variety, try dried edamame.           [caption id="attachment_701538" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Mexico

If you hang out in Mexico, you may hear little carts ringing their bells—they might be selling dressed up corn. This is simply corn on the cob, smothered with chili powder and mayonnaise.         [caption id="attachment_783677" align="alignleft" width="423"] Shutterstock.com/Tea party[/caption]

Britain

If you get into British tea time, you may lose a little weight. All of that liquid helps you feel full without much food. Obviously, choose healthier mini sandwiches like cucumber and cream cheese or pate.       [caption id="attachment_828448" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/Red caviar close up on a sandwich in a female hand with red nails. Healthy food. Fish appetizer. Russian kitchen. Overlay caviar on bread.[/caption]

Sweden

In Sweden, the kids eat caviar—it’s true! But they have a child-friendly version that’s turned into an orange paste and comes out of a tube. They add it to crackers the way American children add peanut butter to everything.         [caption id="attachment_707042" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Italy

If you want a snack in Italy, try panino con rapini (Italian for broccoli rabe). It’s a simple snack of bread holding deliciously seasoned broccoli.         [caption id="attachment_828449" align="alignleft" width="420"] Bigstockphoto.com/raw chickpea in bowl and on a table[/caption]

India

Indian cuisine contains a lot of chickpeas, but they don’t have to be recently cooked. In nearly any Indian store you can find baked chickpeas that are like a healthier version of chips.         [caption id="attachment_718711" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Thailand

Wander down the snack aisle of a Thai market, and you’ll find bags of dried banana, packaged in what looks like chip bags. They pack vitamins and potassium, and natural sugar.         [caption id="attachment_697724" align="alignleft" width="468"] Shutterstock.com/Spring rolls[/caption]

Vietnam

Veggie spring rolls are often on the appetizer menu at Vietnamese restaurants, but they’re easy to make at home and take on the go. You can put nearly anything you want in that sticky rice paper, but bean sprouts, tofu, peanuts and mint leaves are a good star.   [caption id="attachment_704429" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

France

The French don’t snack! So if you don’t always have the time to pack healthy snacks, you can just be French that day, and stick to your three meals.

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