It’s winter and its cold. It’s the perfect time of the year to snuggle up on the sofa with some comforting snacks. Luckily comforting does not have to mean unhealthy. Try some of these ideas for snacks that are tasty, healthy and satisfying.

Hot drinks

There’s nothing like cupping your hands around a warm drink in cold weather, whether your favourite is a spicy herbal tea, regular tea or coffee, or a hot chocolate. For something different, try adding cinnamon and turmeric to warm milk; adding star anise and cinnamon to your regular tea or coffee; or trying this sweet Middle Eastern milk drink. While it is wise to be careful of overdoing drinks with added sugar, a hot chocolate is miles ahead of a block of chocolate in the healthier waistline stakes!

Warming snacks

Soup is a great snack in winter. If you are making soup for a meal, make a double batch and freeze half in half- or one-cup serves to defrost later. Try clear soups that use lots of veggies and herbs for flavour; or blend vegetable soups for a thicker consistency. For an extra thick and hearty snack add some barley or peas to your soup recipe.

Frittata is another easy one to cook a large batch of and then cut into small squares and freeze. Pull out a square or two to warm in the microwave when you are looking for a healthy snack. Add plenty of veggies to the mix to maximise your snacking nutrition.

Roll a few small, ball-sized salmon or tuna patties by mashing together cooked orange sweet potato, frozen peas, drained tinned fish with spring onion. Cook and freeze down so you have a quick snack to microwave when needed.

Feel like a meat-free snack? Oven bake a batch of falafel balls and serve with plain yoghurt mixed with mint.

Looking for a low carb snack? Roast a handful of unsalted nuts, boil an egg, or enjoy a cup of air-popped popcorn sprinkled with paprika.

Fancy something sweet? Cook cored and sliced fruit, such as apples and pears, in a little water with some cinnamon and other spices.

Hopefully these snack ideas will give you inspiration for even the coldest of days!

By Dale Cooke Accredited Practising Dietitian

^{Updated May 2024}