Finger-Lickin’ Good Snacks to Share with Your Moai

By Jolia Sidona Allen

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, a four-part series, will debut on Netflix on Aug. 30th. Are you gearing up to travel around the globe and dive deep into the blue zones longevity hotspots—no passport required? We sure are. Here are six Blue Zones approved snacks to stock up on and enjoy while watching. Don’t miss out: Watch the trailer, below, and be sure to head to Netflix to check the ✔ to add to “My List”. Whether you are tuning in solo or watching with your moai (or even your furry family members), you’ll want to have these tasty longevity foods that double as satisfying watch party snacks within reach.

Finger-Lickin’ Good Netflix Watch Party SnacksOlive Oil or Coconut Oil Popcorn

Did you know that popcorn is, in fact, a whole grain that’s loaded with antioxidants and fiber? Corn—and popcorn too—has long been a staple ingredient in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a blue zones hotspot. But there’s no need to douse it in butter or binge on the palm-oil-laden variety; buy whole kernels and pop it in olive oil or coconut oil on the stove and enjoy it with a little salt, if desired. We also dig it spiked with turmeric, fresh or dried herbs, nutritional yeast, or cinnamon.

Steamed Edamame

According to explorer, National Geographic Fellow, and Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner’s research, soy foods like soybeans, tofu, and miso are key staples in the traditional Okinawan diet—and for good reason! Soybeans (edamame), in particular, are packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants and are low in calories. Now, frozen edamame can easily be found in almost any grocery store in America. We enjoy edamame (soybeans) simply steamed and sprinkled with salt if desired. We also love sesame seeds and this Black Pepper Edamame.

Savory Roasted Chickpeas

Beans—they are nutritious, delicious, and found in every blue zones region of the world. Making Savory Roasted Chickpeas is surprisingly super easy. Here’s what you’ll want to add to your shopping list (if you don’t already have these items in your pantry): 1- 15 ounce can chickpeas, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon sea salt. Get the full recipe for Savory Roasted Chickpeas.

Blue Zones Trail Mix

We know from distilling more than 150 dietary surveys of the world’s longest-lived people on earth that nut eaters outlive people who don’t eat nuts by an average of two to three years. But what’s the ideal nut mix? Almonds (high in vitamin E and magnesium), peanuts (high in protein and folate, a B vitamin), cashews (high in magnesium), Brazil nuts (high in selenium, a mineral found effective in protecting against prostate cancer), and walnuts (high in alpha-linoleic acid, the only omega-3 fat found in a plant-based food). To make your own Blue Zones trail mix, start with your choice of nuts and add in seeds and dried fruit. Here’s a must-try combo: Goji Trail Mix.

Fresh Fruit

Summer is here and fresh fruits are in peak season. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, apples, cherries, cherries, watermelon, kiwi, and pineapple all make fantastic finger foods or could even be served on skewers. But if slashing refined sugar is the healthiest way to go, is it still OK to eat fresh fruit? Fear not: “Humans evolved to crave sweet tastes to get the nutrients needed to survive. A daily supply of vitamins, minerals, and fiber is needed because our bodies cannot make them. The best source of these substances for our ancient ancestors was sweet, ripe, delicious fruit. In addition, fruits contain phytonutrients and antioxidants, chemicals produced only by plants. Phytonutrients such as ellagic acid in strawberries have cancer-fighting properties and promote heart health.,” explains Jennifer Rooke, MD. Learn more by reading Are You Reducing Your Sugar Intake or Cutting Carbs? A Doctor Explains Why You Should Keep Fruit on the Menu.