Snacks to keep you Slim

ALTHOUGH your gut bacteria will be happy if you extend the gaps between meals, homemade dips will increase your gut-friendly vegetable intake at lunch or as a snack between meals — particularly if they are packed with ingredients such as nuts, seeds and chickpeas.

Try the delicious rainbow hummus and creamy cashew nut spread recipes (below) — spread them on a wholemeal cracker or scoop up with raw vegetable crudites.

It’s a great idea to have a sealed container full of washed and prepared carrot, celery, red pepper, cucumber, broccoli and cauliflower pieces in your fridge, ready for dipping when hunger strikes. Alternatively, try spreading a little almond or cashew butter on slices of apple or celery sticks.

If you’re out and about, and reaching for a snack at a convenience store or petrol station, search for fruit or plain (unsalted) nuts.

Nuts and seeds are high in soluble and insoluble fibre, which encourages the growth of ‘good’ bacteria.

Better still, if your snack options are likely to be limited away from home, take a small bag of almonds or fruit and a few pieces of cheese with you.

Even a slice of homemade cake, such as our aubergine brownies (right) or the indulgent treats we will reveal in Wednesday’s Mail, will be better for your microbiome than snacking on crisps, sweets or fizzy drinks.

Beware over-processed protein bars, too — many masquerade as ‘healthy’, but use artificial sugars that can inflame the gut.

When the chocolate cravings hit, I find it useful to imagine I am slowly starving out those sugar- hungry microbes in my gut. It’s man versus microbe — and I aim to win!