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Your Junk Food Replacement Guide

It takes considerable resources to produce, store, and ship heavily processed foods across the country. Even worse, the snacks we constantly reach for – even the seemingly healthy ones – are mostly junk, lacking in both nutrition and real flavour. Solve all problems at once by replacing four snack stand-bys with these easy, tasty alternatives.

Potato chips: Greasy bags of chips are nutritionally bankrupt. Boost the flavour and health quotient by tossing thinly-sliced root vegetables – parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, whatever – with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 200 deg C oven until lightly browned and crispy.

Popcorn: Too many supermarket popcorn bags carry with them heavy deposits of calories, sodium, and even trans fats, plus a flurry of unpronounceable preservatives. Make your own stuff by adding 1/4 cup popcorn kernels to a microwavable bag, along with a few teaspoons of vegetable oil and whatever spices you like. Curry powder, chilli powder, and herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano all work well. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

Dips: Forget the ranch and cheesy whiz – they’re more science experiment than real food. Take a page from the Italians and dip your vegetables and bread into a flavour-packed bagna cauda instead. Combine 110g of chopped anchovies packed in olive oil with 1 tablespoon each of minced garlic and fresh rosemary. Heat on low for 10 minutes, and then add a pinch of salt and plenty of fresh cracked pepper before the dipping begins.

Photo courtesy of ST.

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