Healthy swaps: salty snacks

Trying to eat a nutritious diet? Making healthier swaps throughout the day will help you meet your goal. Switching from junk foods that are high in empty calories, saturated fats, and simple sugars to more nutritious snacks will also make it easier to consume enough micronutrients.

If you’re somebody who enjoys snacking on bags of salty chips throughout the day, cutting them out and finding alternatives that are lower in salt will improve your health.  High salt (sodium) diets are associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Next time you’re craving chips, consider swapping them for less salty snacks, like

• Air-popped popcorn
• Veggies with hummus
• Unsalted nuts

You can also try making your own vegetable chips; root and starchy veggies work best. You can use kale, too. Wash, dry and thinly slice your vegetables and roast them in the oven for approximately 20 minutes.