Christmas is just around the corner, and if you want to enjoy it, while maintaining a balanced diet to support your immune system (which needs extra care during this season), and avoiding fatty, and processed choices, try the following snacks. They are vegan, easy to prepare, rich in fiber that support gut microbiota, and super tasty for the festive days ahead—for both kids and adults.
Brussels Sprout Skewers
Perfect for the season, here’s a simple idea to enjoy extra vitamin C and vitamin K during the holidays (and later on of course). Place the Brussels sprouts in a baking dish, drizzle with oil, a bit of garlic, salt, and pepper, and roast at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes. Thread them onto skewers, drizzle with a bit of molasses for extra iron, sprinkle with sesame seed. You’re ready to serve!
Flatbread with Cherry Tomatoes and Tahini
Flatbread is simply an easy bread base that you can top with whatever you want. Made with pizza dough, you can roll it out and shape it as thin as you like. We recommend trying it with tahini, which is rich in healthy fats, finely chopped garlic (a prebiotic food that supports gut microbiota), halved cherry tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pine nuts. Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!
Bruschetta with Chickpeas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This is a wonderful snack that can also serve as an appetizer at your festive table this year. It’s rich in fiber, perfect for your gut microbiota, and, consequently, for your immune system. Boil chickpeas that have been soaked overnight, then mash them using a blender or a fork. Add some parsley, extra virgin olive oil, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and spread the mixture on whole-grain bread slices that have been toasted in the oven and flavored with garlic. Sprinkle with a bit more parsley and olive oil, and serve.
Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado Tartare
Avocado is renowned for its healthy fats, which help absorb vitamins and support cardiovascular health, while sweet potatoes are a superfood for the gut due to their prebiotics and fiber. They also provide vitamins A, C, B6, as well as some iron, calcium, and magnesium. Slice two sweet potatoes into thin round pieces, lay them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzle with some oil, salt, and pepper, and bake in a preheated oven. Cook for 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, prepare the avocado tartare in a medium bowl by mixing oil with lemon juice, mustard and a pinch of salt. Finely chop some onion and add it to the mix. When the sweet potatoes are almost ready, dice the avocado into small cubes and combine them in the bowl. Mix well, taste, and add more lemon, salt or pepper if needed. Use this mixture as a topping for the roasted sweet potato slices, and optionally sprinkle with black sesame seeds and coarse salt.
Enjoy these healthy, festive snacks!
