Snacks can be nourishing nuggets that boost energy with refreshing flavor. These have a Mediterranean nutrition twist, too!

There are hundreds of foods that can be made into snacks, or mini-meals, and many of them are nutritious. When you really want to ‘hug’ Mediterranean nutrition though, the snacking possibilities are even more delicious and refreshing. And, since they’re made from simple Mediterranean ingredients, your health can benefit at snack time, too.

Mediterranean Ingredients for Delicious Snacks:

Here are 20 examples of ingredients that deliver top quality nutrition. When you pair up 2 or 3 ingredients to make a flavor-forward snack ….. that’s true snack satisfaction.

Strawberries, oranges, raspberries, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, dried apricots, dried figs, cucumbers, sweet Bell peppers, olives, almonds, walnuts, plain yogurt, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, chickpea hummus, tomatoes, hazelnuts, whole grain crackers, crusty bread

Mediterranean Combinations for Delicious Snacks:

Here are 10 examples of how to combine easy-to-find, Mediterranean ingredients into successful snacks. By ‘successful’ think about these qualities in a snack: easy and affordable to make; satisfying with crunch or sweet or creamy; a good filler-upper for hours.

1. Plain yogurt with strawberries and a drizzle of honey
2. Cucumber slices with chickpea hummus
3. Dried figs or dried apricots and hazelnuts
4. Crusty bread with chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, and Mozzarella cheese
5. Almonds and sunflower seeds
6. Plain yogurt with olives, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
7. Whole grain crackers with chickpea hummus
8. Tomato and cucumber slices on whole grain crackers, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
9. Crusty bread with cold, cooked chicken and herbed goat cheese
10. Cold grilled veggies and a dollop of plain yogurt

Mediterranean Rationale for Delicious, Healthful Nutrition:

Mediterranean nutrition is considered one of the most delicious cuisines of the world. Also, when its healthfulness is explored, there is significant medical and public health research that stands behind the nutrition strategy. To be more specific, the health benefits of Mediterranean nutrition reach far and include reducing the risk for heart disease, brain disease, joint disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and obesity. So, it makes perfect sense to ‘hug’ Mediterranean nutrition for flavor and enjoyment of every day snacks as well as to benefit from feeling better. Grab a copy of my Mediterranean Menus here, and explore an earlier blog about setting up a Mediterranean Pantry

Which Mediterranean snack appeals to you the most and why?