In regard to consumption, it is the time, which matters more than the food. This means that the time at which we consume food depends how it gets digested by our body. That is why mid-meal cravings and late-night munching is extremely harmful for our body. They make you put on excess flab on your body. No matter how healthy you eat, an untimely meal always shoots up your calorie count. Especially during the evening time, you get a craving for snacks and as a result you end up consuming extra calories. Potato chips, burgers, French fries and pastries are definitely your favorite snack items. However, you should avoid such type of foods to reduce your fat intake. We have listed down a few snack options and their recipes for you so that you do not pile on empty calories. Read on.

1. Banana and Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

1. Half cup of strawberries
2. One ripe banana
3. Half cup of low-fat yoghurt or skimmed milk

To make this smoothie, take all the ingredients in the right quantity and blend them together. Ensure you get a frothy liquid in the end. This banana and strawberry smoothie is low on calorie count and also ensures a good amount of fruit intake. Both the fruits are a  rich source of potassium, which further helps in reducing the level of blood pressure in the body . Besides, milk in a powerhouse of calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth.

Strawberry is a great beauty ingredient too. It is known to possess cleansing properties and therefore, helps in giving a radiant glow to the skin. To know more about it, click here.

2. Baked sweet potato

Ingredients:

1. Three sweet potatoes
2. One-fourth spoon of cinnamon powder

Take around three medium-sized sweet potatoes and poles holes in them using a fork. Now pre-heat your oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Bake the sweet potatoes along with the skin for about 45 minutes. Now, cut them either in form of fries or wedges. Sprinkle a pinch or two of cinnamon powder, salt and chillie flakes on them. Owing to the presence of fiber content, sweet potatoes are quite filling and do not allow you to consume much calories. This recipe is great substitute for French fries or potato wedges, which are extremely high in fat content.

As pr several studies, cinnamon is known to keep cancer at bay. To read more on it, click here.

2. Cheese and Grapes

Ingredients:

1. Around 10 grapes
2. Three tablespoons of low-fat cheese

Grapes are a rich source of an antioxidant called resveratrol, which helps in warding off cancer and heart diseases. Besides, cheese is rich in protien content. If you opt for low-fat cheese, it is all the more low on calorie count. Just cut vertical strips of cheese slices. Then roll them and arrange them with a grape on a toothpick. As per experts, a combination of fruit and protein makes a meal filling, thus curbing your appetite. You can also replace cheese strips with cheese cubes to make assembling more easy and convenient. It is a great starter for any party or get-together.

3. Yoghurt with Nuts

Ingredients:

1.Once cup of yoghurt

2. 4 to 5 berries
3. 4 to 5 walnuts
4. 4 to 5 almonds
5. Two tablespoons of honey

If you do not like eating nuts alone, mix them in a bowl of yoghurt. Add a few fresh berries and a spoon of honey. This can be an amazing breakfast delight as well. Nuts are a powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart. While yoghurt boosts bone health.

4. Peanut Butter on Banana Slices

Ingredients:

1. Two ripe bananas
2. Two tablespoons of peanut butter
3. Two tablespoons of yoghurt

If you see over-ripe bananas in your kitchen, do not throw them away. Just try out this recipe. Mash an over-ripe banana and add a spoon of peanut butter to it. Now add two spoons of yoghurt to this mixture. Mix well. Now, slice a ripe banana and keep it aside. Apply this peanut butter mixture on one banana slice and place another slice on top of it like a sandwich. Once you are done, freeze these pieces for a few hours. Enjoy this low-fat scrumptious dessert, which can beat any ice-cream for sure.

To know more about other benefits of banana, click here.