Nutritious Nibbles for Binge Watching TV

Some people say you shouldn't eat any kind of snacks while you watch TV. But snacking while watching the tube isn't a bad thing. In fact, healthy snacking is a good way to get a few more nutrients into your day, as long as they are satisfying and feel good to you.

The best TV-watching snacks are satisfying and tasty. Additionally, if you find yourself mindlessly snacking often, consider if you are eating enough throughout the day. You may benefit from an entire meal, not just a snack. Here are some popular snack ideas.

Raw Vegetables and Dip

A plate full of fresh veggies makes such a healthy snack because you get a nice satisfying crunch and tons of nutrition. Raw veggies are perfectly fine on their own, but if you like a little extra flavor, add a veggie dip, hummus, or salad dressing.

Carrot sticks, celery stalks, broccoli florets, baby tomatoes, and chunks of cauliflower are all good choices for a fresh veggie tray. Or dare to be different and try raw green beans and asparagus spears with your favorite light chip dip.

Movie Theater-Style Popcorn

Popcorn is a great option because it's high in fiber which might help with fullness during your binge-watching session. If you eat a lot of popcorn, it's worth investing in an air popper. If you like a little salt, use some butter or olive oil spray—just enough so your salt sticks to the kernels.

Another option is to buy microwave popcorn, or save yourself some money and make your own popcorn with a paper bag. It's easy:

• Add one-half cup popcorn kernels and one teaspoon of vegetable oil to a small bowl.
• Mix them together until the kernels are coated.
• Pour the popcorn and oil mixture into a brown lunch bag and add a few shakes of salt (no more than half a teaspoon).
• Fold the top of the bag twice and put it in the microwave.
• Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes until the popping slows down to one pop every 2 seconds. 
• Open the bag—but be careful of the hot steam.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are good for your heart because they contain monounsaturated fats. They're also delicious and maybe a little bit addicting. Nuts and seeds are rich in energy.

Nuts and seeds taste great with something sweet, so toss a handful of almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and pecans (or basically whatever you have on hand) and mix them with another handful of raisins, craisins, or dried apricots. Makes about two servings.

Fresh Fruits as Sweet Treats

Fruits are good for you because they've got vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If you need your sweetness fix, grab an apple, pear, peach, orange, banana, or nectarine.

Most fruits don't need anything else because they're delicious as they are, but if you want something a little more like a dessert, add a little syrup:

• Cut an apple into pieces and add them to a bowl. Drizzle caramel syrup over the apple (not too much) and add a few chopped almonds.
• Pour some berries over Greek yogurt and top with chopped pecans.
• Slice a banana and top it with a little chocolate syrup.
• Serve fresh pineapple slices with a drizzle of chocolate and coconut syrups.

Switch Up Your Chips and Crackers

If you love your snack chips (and who doesn't?), incorporate baked chips from time to time rather than traditional potato chips. Serve your chips with fresh salsa or homemade guacamole.

Prefer crackers? Top whole-grain crackers with slices of cheese or peanut butter to get that perfect combination of fiber from the whole grains and a bit of protein.