fighting the munchies

You know when you get a sudden attack of the munchies and your first instinct is to grab a packet of chips or pop something pre-fried into the microwave? 

If you know what I'm talking about, you're also probably aware of the hundreds of calories we consume through these quick-and-dirty snacks. It's not just about the calorie count, it's also about the fact that these foods provide very little nourishment. So, empty calories!

When the husband and I noticed that we had put on a few extra kilos, especially around the dangerous stomach area, we decided it was time to take action. To begin with, we signed up at the nearby sports complex. More importantly, however, we made some changes around the house and in our lifestyles. Here are a couple of things that have REALLY worked so far!

Top tips to fight unhealthy snacking

• Throw out the chips. As of right now, we have all of 1 bag of Doritos and 1 packet of buttered microwave popcorn in the house. If there's less junk lying around, you'll consume less - simple! (If eating junk food is a real problem for you, I suggest you throw it all out.)
• Make a fruit basket. We now have a fruit basket permanently placed on a table in the centre of the house. It usually has apples, oranges and mini-bananas - these are easily and available in my city. Fruits are a great snack, packed with nutrients. Keep them handy and visible. If you can reach out and grab and apple instead of Pringles, you're more likely to do so!
• Invest in tasty, healthy snacks. If you are happy to shell out a substantial amount for a fancy coffee at a branded outlet but think good-quality, yummy muesli is too expensive, you need to change your mindset. I have gotten over my cheap ways and started spending money on nutritious, delicious snacks. Chances are, a whole box of low-fat, healthy crackers will cost you less than one little dessert a your favourite restaurant. Amirite?
• Buy dark chocolate. This is (seriously) the best way to avoid late-night snacking - at least in our home. We've stocked up on Lindt dark chocolate. Every night, a few hours after dinner when the hunger pangs hit, we have a cube of chocolate each. It's utterly satisfying and kills the craving to gorge on other stuff. Studies have found that dark chocolate is healthy in small quantities on a daily basis - just make sure it's 60%-70% cocoa!

to airfry or not to airfry?

Close on the heels of yesterday's blender-related bewilderment, I am now facing yet another kitchen dilemma! Should I buy one of these nifty looking Philips airfryers or not?

The revolutionary concept is that the gadget uses hot air to fry foods, using minimal oil - so cooking in the airfryer is healthier than deep frying.

If I were setting up my kitchen once and for all, I'd get one without a second thought - although it is substantially more expensive this side of the world than in the U.K. or the U.S. (No discounted prices yet - it's too new!) But given that I may have to sell it/give it away in two years, I'm wondering if it's worth the price?

I like the idea of being able to make healthy chips once in a while, but I'm not a big fan of eating potatoes too frequently. I'm more excited about using it to airfry other things we traditionally deep fry: okra (ladies' fingers), cauliflower, spinach, bitter gourd... Otherwise, in our attempts to eat healthy, we rarely consume these vegetables in fried form - even though they're super-tasty!

I heart the white model and it would fit in perfectly with my planned kitchen colours, but I suspect it's an older model because I can't seem to locate it on the Philips website. The black is super-sleek but would look terribly out of place.

Plus, people who've used it have mixed feelings about it. (I've been reading the reviews online, especially on Amazon.) Some say it's the best kitchen investment they've ever made, while others say it's an expensive mistake!

Unfortunately, I don't know a single person who owns one. I'd love to get more user info about the kinds of food you can cook in the airfryer and whether it turns out well. Most of the U.K./U.S. reviews are focused on chips and chicken nuggets.

At its high price point, I think I'll give this item a skip until I hear some feedback from people I know or Philips offers a discount in my area. (The husband is also going to check out the pricing in the Dubai Duty Free Store on his way back from a business trip. Perhaps we'll get lucky!)

PS - Whether or not my husband and I buy the airfryer, both sets of parents are definitely getting one each as a present from us! My mom and my mom-in-law have elevated cholesterol levels, and both find it hard to steer clear of yummy fried foods. So this will be a PERFECT addition to their kitchens.

Picture source: Philips