Who can avoid that 4pm hunger when you know that all you need is a handful of fries or perhaps a meat fry? Well, feasting on fried foods may cause more harm. If you are gravitating towards living a healthier lifestyle, we advise you to stick to plant-based food in order to keep your health in check and your weight maintained. The following healthy vegetarian/vegan dishes will not only satiate your hunger pangs but also help you maintain your health.

Avocado & Corn
It does take some time to put this together but by itself, it makes for a great snack. It can also be served with some tortilla chips if you like.

• Ingredients

Frozen corn kernel – one package of about 16 ounce – thawed

Ripe olives – 2 Nos. drained off its juices from the can

Bell pepper – 1, finely chopped

Onion – 1, finely chopped

Garlic cloves – 4 Nos., minced

Olive oil – as required

Lemon juice – ½ cup

Oregano – 2 teaspoon dried

Salt – as required

Cider vinegar – 2 tablespoons

Ground Black pepper – ½ teaspoon

Avocados – 5 Nos, peeled, pitted and also diced

• Method
  In a large bowl, mix corn, olives, bell pepper, and an onion. Take another bowl and mix garlic, olive oil, cider vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Now mix this mixture to the bigger one and toss to coat. Cover it with a cling film and chill for about 6-8 hours or leave it overnight. Before serving the salad, stir it properly.

Candied Almonds
While the name suggests almonds, pretty much any kind of nuts can be used here. All it takes is sugar and water. While consuming sweets with high sugar content is not advisable, indulging in it ponec in a while may not cause any harm. Take ½ cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar. Take a saucepan and heat it for a while before adding the white sugar, water, and cinnamon. Bring this to a boil. Add the almonds. Keep stirring the mixture until the liquid evaporates and leaves a syrup-like texture on the almonds. Now place the almond on a baking sheet that is lined with waxed paper. Allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Ensure to separate the almonds using forks.

Bell peppers and sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds add a great texture to this dish. It also takes minimal time to put it all together and make for a perfect healthy vegan or vegetarian snack.

• Ingredients
  Sunflower seeds – 2-3 tablespoons

Bell peppers – 2 (red and yellow)

Olive oil – as required

• Method

Preheat the broiler in the oven. Place a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Meanwhile, cook the sunflower seeds over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until it gets toasted. Place the bell peppers cut side down on to the baking sheet.

Take a glass blown and mix the olive oil, lime juice, some balsamic vinegar, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Now brush the peppers with this mixture. Ensure to roast the peppers in the broiler for about 5 to 7 minutes or until it is slightly charred. Remove it from the heat, and peel and slice them. Toss them with sunflower seeds before serving.