With Chinese New Year just around the corner, many of us are eagerly anticipating quality time with loved ones, paired with delicious traditional treats. However, as tempting as pineapple tarts and buttery Kueh Lapis are, indulging guilt-free can feel like a challenge.
To help you stick to your diet while still enjoying the festivities, here are some of the healthiest and Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats you can snack on instead!
Low-fat Chinese New Year treats
1. Baked Fish Strips With Seaweed
Baked fish strips with seaweed are a great alternative to regular chips or junk food. While they’re a healthier option, they can leave you feeling extra thirsty, so be sure to pair them with a tall glass of water to stay hydrated.
Packed with protein, these strips are not only satisfying but also a nutritious treat to enjoy during Chinese New Year!
Crispy baked fish strips are said to contain around 194.1 calories and 2.2 grams of fat.
2. Banana Chips
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: iStock
Experts say that while banana chips may appear harmless at first, they’re still loaded with calories, fat and sugar.
This is why looking for baked or dried banana chips that contain no added sugar is the better and healthier option for you to maintain your diet.
As long as you are mindful of how much you eat, you can snack on them during your family reunion.
100 grams worth of banana chips contains an average of 510 calories.
3. Dried Cuttlefish
Dried cuttlefish is a protein-packed snack that’s perfect for nibbling on during family reunions. It’s convenient, easy to share, and a great option to pass around while catching up with loved ones during Chinese New Year.
If you’re a fan of seafood, dried cuttlefish might just become your go-to snack, allowing you to indulge while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle!
A serving of 10 pieces of dried cuttlefish is found to contain 57 calories and zero fat.
4. Kueh Bangkit Cookies
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: iStock
What’s a Chinese New Year without sharing some Kueh Bangkit Cookies with your loved ones?
You’re probably glad to know that these light cookies that melt right in your mouth are healthy enough to snack on for you to have no regrets after the Chinese New Year.
While they still have heavy ingredients of coconut, flour, milk and eggs, these festive delights are very low on calories so don’t worry about munching on a few.
Kueh Bangkit Cookies are usually worth only 46 calories and 2 grams of fat.
5. Mandarin Oranges
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: iStock
With a fresh and quick snack that is a traditional symbol of good fortune, mandarin oranges are the perfect Chines New Year treat to have to maintain your healthy diet.
This small round fruit is enough to satisfy your Lunar New Year snacking with no worries for it is high in Vitamin C and low in calories.
This citrus fruit can help boost your immune system and are good source of soluble fibre to keep you full for the rest of the reunion.
According to WebMD website, one mandarin orange contains 47 calories and zero fat.
6. Peanuts
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: Stock
Peanuts are a healthy and versatile snack, perfect for Chinese New Year or any time of the year. While they are high in fat, they’re also packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin E, magnesium, and biotin, especially beneficial during pregnancy.
Rich in protein, peanuts make a satisfying treat, but be mindful of allergies to ensure everyone can enjoy them safely. For those with diabetes, peanuts are a great alternative snack, as they are low in carbs and can help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
100 grams worth of peanuts usually has about 567 worth of calories.
7. Sunflower Seeds
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: iStock
If you’ve been craving some melon seeds but are too afraid of the consequences, you can try instead nibbling on some sunflower seeds.
These are a much better and healthier alternative for they are known to be the world’s healthiest seeds. While they may not be exactly as tasteful as melon seeds, they are still high in vitamin E, magnesium and protein.
It’s even known to help prevent chronic diseases, making it one of the perfect healthy low-calorie snacks for weight loss.
These healthy seeds normally contain 163 worth of calories.
8. Yu Sheng
Low-Fat Chinese New Year Treats to Enjoy Guilt-Free | Image Source: iStock
A serving of Yu Sheng is said to bring good fortune for the year ahead. It can also be one of the healthiest dishes to enjoy during Lunar New Year—if prepared the right way.
Opt for less oil and go easy on the plum sauce to reduce its calorie count. Cutting back on flour crisps can also significantly lower its fat content.
Since Yu Sheng doesn’t have a strict recipe, you can customize it by adding more fresh vegetables like lettuce, purple cabbage, or even carrots. This way, you can enjoy this traditional dish guilt-free while keeping it packed with nutrients!
One serving of Yu Sheng usually contains 560 calories and less when prepared with healthier ingredients.
With reports from Grace Phua.
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