Easy evening snack for cravings (roasted chana chaat)

Evening is when cravings tend to strike hardest with PCOS, usually because blood sugar has dipped. Instead of fighting it with willpower, meet it with a snack that actually satisfies. This roasted chana chaat is high in protein and fibre, tastes like a proper treat, and steadies you before dinner.

Why it helps

Chana (chickpeas) is high in protein and fibre, so it fills you up and calms the blood sugar dip that drives evening cravings. Because it is tangy and satisfying, it scratches the "I want a snack" itch far better than biscuits, which spike and crash you within the hour. How to handle cravings with PCOS

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 cup boiled or roasted chana (chickpeas)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped cucumber
• 1 green chilli, chopped (optional)
• A squeeze of lemon
• A pinch of chaat masala and black salt
• Coriander to finish

Method

1. Add the chana to a bowl.
2. Mix in the onion, tomato, cucumber and green chilli.
3. Add lemon, chaat masala and black salt.
4. Top with coriander and eat fresh.

Make it your own

• Use sprouts in place of, or alongside, the chana.
• Add a spoon of curd to make it creamier and higher in protein.
• Keep a batch of boiled chana in the fridge so this is ready in minutes at craving time.

Have it ready before your usual craving hour. For a creamier option, try the curd protein snack.