Low Calorie Snacks

Low Calorie Snacks

Healthy Low Calorie Snacks: Red Radish, Water Chestnut, Indian Gooseberry And Tindora

By Kez Sze


Eating processed snack foods has made the world sick and fat. More precisely, the hidden dangers behind artificial flavors, harmful food addictives and man-made sweeteners could be your insidious enemy sabotaging your diet all this while. So what are some of the healthiest snack foods you can dig in amidst this onslaught of popular fast food staples?

Red Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Many will find it a delightful treat every time they crunch a red radish with just a dash of salt. Not to mention the less contrived the food is, the better it is going to be. Besides, what better way is there for your body to replenish its natural stores of: fiber, minerals and vitamins B, C, K and folate? Sourdough bread is more than simply carbs when eaten with a couple of red radish slices. When foods taste divine like this, it is the magic of that little red radish with a white tip.

A relative once gave the best piece of radish advice, that is, taking it as an antidote to offset effects of eating the wrong foods; it all boils down to its detoxifiers called indoles.

Water Chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) And Water Caltrop (Trapa Bicornis)

Like the red radish, the water chestnut is low in fat and calories, but high in nutrients like: fiber, which balances your blood sugar naturally; potassium, that helps your muscles and nerves to function properly; and vitamin-6, for regulating your ability to sleep and mood swings, as well as reducing heart disease.

Peeled water chestnuts skewered on a stick and kept over a block of ice, used to be a hugely popular snack sold on sultry days. Nowadays, water chestnut flour is the ideal choice for making delicious flatbreads and steamed banana cakes.

Owing to its rich cooling property, a brew of water chestnuts, carrots, red sugar cane and a big sprig of coriander will make a refreshing summery drink to drive away body heat,

Rich in minerals like iodine, the water caltrop or horned water chestnut prevents goiter and thyroid problems, Since it has an abundance of macro and micro nutrients as well as medicinal properties it can treat a host of ailments ranging from a fever to improving the vision and all types of cancer as well.

Indian Gooseberry (Amla) (Phyllanthus emblica) And Tindora (Coccinia grandis)

Despite its unappealing taste, Chinese kids are given the indian gooseberry they called 'Sour Sonny' to snack on. Acidic and slightly bitter, it is a powerhouse of, firstly, anti-oxidants that counter the effects of pre-mature ageing like wrinkles and pigmentation; and secondly, vitamin C, that boosts the collagen cell production, giving you soft, supple and youthful skin.

However, isn't it far better to eat the berry than pay for the processing and packaging costs of superfluous amla hair products?

In particular, the Indian gooseberry is a handy home remedy for improving eyesight. It is said to restore your vision, when taken regularly.

While this gooseberry contains chromium, which helps cure diabetes, tindora or baby water-melon is effective in reducing blood sugar levels, though it is not clear what exactly causes this beneficial effect.