What are Some of the Healthiest Snacks You Can Get in Malaysia?

Malaysia is known for its variety of delicious snacks, but not all of them are healthy. From traditional snacks to modern Western-style options, Malaysians can find something that fits their dietary needs and tastes. If you’re watching your diet or just want to transition to a healthier lifestyle, there are plenty of healthy snack options available to purchase or even to make.

Fruits

Fresh fruits are a nutritious snack that’s a healthier alternative to refined sugar. The natural sugar found in fruits is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can easily find a variety of fresh fruits, such as apples, bananas, and watermelons in grocery stores and markets. These are rich in vitamins and minerals that can help boost your immunity and energise you throughout the day.

Alternatively, you can also get fruit chips such as banana or jackfruit chips, which are already popular snacks. They are made by dehydrating or baking the fruit to make a crunchy snack. While not as nutritious as fresh fruit, they are an excellent alternative to unhealthy snacks such as cookies or potato chips. You can even make them yourself. Banana chips are high in fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Jackfruit chips are high in fibre, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Vegetables

Veggies are one of the healthiest snacks around because they are low in calories and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach are all great options. You can cut them into bite-sized and eat the raw ingredients themselves, or dip them in something like hummus. mezete, for instance, uses all-natural ingredients and comes in a range of flavours. It’s made from chickpeas and tahini (sesame seed paste), making it high in fibre and high in plant-based protein. It’s the perfect snack for a healthy diet.

A less healthy but crunchy version of vegetables is vegetable chips. Depending on the brand, Plant-based chips are considered a healthier snack compared to traditional potato chips because they use less salt and you would be getting some of the health benefits of the vegetables the chips are made from. Not to mention, there are no additional calories from these chips, so you can eat them guilt-free. Just like the fruit chips, they are made by dehydrating or baking the vegetables to make a crunchy snack. You can also make these yourself if you’d like.

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It’s a great source of protein and fibre, and it may even help to lower cholesterol levels. Tempeh is a versatile food used in salads, sandwiches, or as an alternative to meat in dishes. Recently, there has been a rise in the popularity of Tempeh chips, which are also a great snack option for those looking for a healthy alternative to potato chips. They are low in calories, high in protein and fibre, and contain essential vitamins and minerals.

Popcorn

The popcorn itself has low amounts of calories and is high in fibre. The unhealthy part is the flavouring used, such as additional salt or butter, or the popular caramel, which is melted brown sugar. Popcorn is a popular snack for those on a diet because they are crunchy and filling while low in calories. Instead of butter or caramel, popular toppings are paprika, onion, and garlic powder.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great snack option for those looking for a healthy alternative to sugary treats. It contains probiotics, which can help support gut health and is also a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamin D. It comes in a wide range of flavours and is often eaten as a snack by itself, as breakfast when mixed with granola, and as a dessert when frozen. Fresh fruits such as bananas and berries are popular toppings that go well with this tasty snack.

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack choice because they’re packed with healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They provide long-lasting energy, which is why they’re a popular snack for hikers who go on long trails. There are a variety of nut types, the most common being peanuts, almonds, pistachios, and cashews. You can get them plain, flavoured, or even mixed. Wonderful nuts have roasted and classically flavoured almonds and pistachios. Nut Walker has fun and interesting flavours such as butter toffee macadamias and coffee caramel almonds.

Purchasing Your Snacks

With more Malaysians being more health-conscious and the wide variety of snack options, the healthy snack game has changed for the better. When buying your snacks, make sure to select brands that do not use artificial ingredients, but use natural ingredients.