Toasted Tamari Coconut Chips

Healthy Snack – Toasted Coconut Tamari Chips

Here’s a great snack alternative to sometimes greasy and always salty, fried potato chips.

Even packaged, baked maize chips, whether it claims to be MSG and tartrazine-free, is not considered healthy.

I know the irresistability of reaching for a packet of chips in times of stress or even boredom, especially while binge watching a favourite show.

So, this is exactly why having a nutritional alternative is vital to have in your healthy cooking repertoire.

Toasted Coconut Tamari Chips is just such a healthy snack. And if you’re not a fan of coconut, don’t shy away from this recipe. The addition of the umami flavour from the Tamari sauce kicks it up a notch and makes it taste like a savoury snack.

And if you’re watching your calorie intake, fear not. The raw coconut chips are healthier than the dessicated kind which are processed and contain lots of calories.

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Nutritional ingredients

Coconut flakes (chips)

This ingredient is not just a delicious addition to breakfast and desserts. I discovered this recipe through my collaboration with a nutritionist, so I owe this recipe to Anita.

It’s one of the best snack recipes I’ve learnt to cook because it’s so easy to throw together and I absolutely love it.

Raw coconut is a healthier choice than the dessicated kind which contain a high amount of calories.

Coconut is also regarded as a ‘warming’ food, so it has the effect of making one feel a sense comfort and ease.

Tamari Sauce

This sauce is a gluten-free, low-sodium alternative to the classic and much loved soy sauce. Soy sauce is a classic ingredient in Asian cooking and also tastes wonderful as a topping on a bowl of pure mushroom soup.

Another alternative to Soy sauce is Coconut Aminos.

Himalayan Salt (Pink Salt)

I always cook with this salt as a healthy alternative to iodated, table salt. It’s a mild salt, so when cooking with it, be aware that this mildness may cause you to add more just to get your desired flavour.

More salt is never a good idea, flavour your meals in moderation. If you still crave saltiness, then try adding natural (non-irradiated) spices and/or fresh lemon juice.

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Nutritional value in this recipe

Coconut

Coconut is naturally antimicrobial.

What does that mean? It’s a combination of anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Coconut is high in electrolytes, calcium, potassium and magnesium.

It also aids digestion and reduces inflammation.

Good fats: Coconut is high in fat, but in a good way. It’s a saturated fat meaning it is solid at room temperature (coconut oil) and turns to liquid when heated.

Naturally derived fat is healthy, but it’s the hydrogenated (pumped full of hydrogen) saturated fat that you need to avoid.

Coconut is a medium-chain fat and a great source of energy. Our bodies will burn through it so it’s less likely to be stored as fat.

Being a plant-based food it also contains an essential amino acid called Leucine which is associated with muscle health and repair.

FUN FACT: Did you know you can use Coconut Sugar as a sweet alternative in sweets and desserts?

It’s naturally gluten-free and free from GMOs. Perfect for vegans and it’s also sold as unrefined and unbleached.

Where does it come from? The coconut palm tree produces a nutrient-rich “sap” that comes from it’s coconut blossoms. This sap is low GI (35) and is a source of multiple minerals such as amino acids, B vitamins as well as Vitamin C. It has an almost neutral pH so that alkalinity is good for gut health.

Coconut sugar has a strong, caramel flavour and is not as ‘sweet’ as sweetener, honey or maple syrup. It’s not my first suggestion to sweeten coffee or tea, but there’s nothing wrong with trying it if you like. However it’s a great sweet ingredient for baking recipes.

Tamari

Tamari is known for multiple nutritional benefits and it’s most famous for being gluten-free. So, it’s great news if you need to eat allergen-free.

It’s also high in protein and can aid digestion.

The brown pigment that gives it it’s colour contains a high level of antioxidants and therefore has anti-cancer benefits.

It contains multiple minerals such as zinc (good for tissue repair), copper, manganese and potassium (good for blood pressure and heart health).

Conclusion

The health benefits of this simple, healthy snack are quite incredible. And the next time you reach for a condiment, think about the nutritional benefits of Tamari.

Coconut oil is a staple in my pantry and for anyone practicing culinary nutrition. It’s also an amazing ingredient in natural homemade beauty products such as deodorant and toothpaste.

So, if the nutritional benefits of Coconut haven’t inspired you yet, give this healthy snack a try. You’ll soon be hooked enough to consider this nutritional ingredient in more recipes at home.

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