Top 5 Healthy Munchies

Using medicinal cannabis can have some side effects, from dry mouth to the munchies (increased appetite). For those who are trying to stay healthy, be sure you’re prepared with some healthier snacks at home if you’re planning on getting high. Prepackage them in containers beforehand to stay on track with portion control. Try these five snack ideas to shake up your regular snacking routine with some bold flavours.

1. Dark chocolate frozen banana bites: If you have a sweet tooth, don’t whip out a bottomless bag of sour candies. Instead, cut some bananas into four and dip them in dark chocolate—which contains flavanols that “help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function,” according to nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky. Place the bananas down on a tray with wax paper so they’re easy to peel off and then put them in the freezer. You can also decorate them with a handful of unsalted nuts (filled with nutrients and easy to store) or pomegranate seeds (which contain antioxidants, Vitamin C and are a source of dietary fibre) for some extra flair. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze, so be sure to do this before ingesting and you’ll have an easy snack without excessive sugar.
2. Coconut pops—hold the cannabis: This recipe featured on Hempster doesn’t have to contain cannabis. Instead, opt out of infusing your coconut milk and make the pops virgin-style. All you have to do is use regular coconut milk. The pops are great if you need a lactose-free option with minimal effort. Coconut milk is known to be rich in fibre and vitamins. It also contains minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium, according to the BBC. Check out the recipe here.
3. Homemade hummus: Sometimes everyone needs to go for a little dip—Middle-Eastern style. Reach for that can of chickpeas that’s been sitting in your pantry for a while (make sure to check the expiry date), rinse them and pour into a food processor. If you like tahini (aka sesame paste), feel free to add it in, but you can substitute it with olive oil for a healthier option. It will be just as silky smooth. Try this recipe from the Mayo Clinic. You can change up the spices and even add lime instead of lemon for a twist. Be warned: Chickpeas can make you gassy, so keep that in mind if you’re making munchies for your crew. But they’re packed with protein and even though they’re not low in calories, they’re a source of minerals, like zinc and copper, and B-vitamins like thiamine and B-6. Cut up some carrots sticks and skip the pita if you want to kick the carbs.
4. Better-without-butter popcorn: It’s hard to think popcorn that isn’t drenched in that golden liquid could be as appetizing. But with some items from your pantry, you can turn plain popcorn into a delicious snack. Three cups of plain, air-popped popcorn has less than 100 calories so even with add-ons, you don’t have to feel guilty. Pump up the flavour without packing on the pounds by using a low-sodium, premade seasoning. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle some honey and sunflower seeds over your bowl of popcorn and mix it up for a sticky yet addictive treat. Although honey is made up of sugar, it also contains vitamins, iron, zinc, and antioxidants, according to the Mayo Clinic.
5. Power smoothie: Smoothies are easy to make with a few simple ingredients. As long as you have the basics—yogurt, any kind of milk or milk substitute, frozen fruit—then you can blend up the perfect snack that will help with cotton mouth and curb your craving for sweets. Try our recipe here. We use fresh spinach (with vitamins A and C). The plant compounds in spinach also help boost the immune system, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Looking for more cannabis information and health advice? Book your free consultation with a medical cannabis prescriber, or call 1-888-671-8022 with questions.