Feeling that 3pm hunger crunch? If you hit a drive thru or vending machine, chances are you will end up with a snack that is packed with fat and sugar. Eating a candy bar or other sugar laden snack may give you a temporary boost-but can backfire in a big way. A sugary snack can actually lower your energy levels, and make you overeat at your next meal.
Choosing a natural, healthy snack will help you avoid that mid-afternoon crash, and keep your waistline trim as well. Following are a few great ideas for natural snacking options:
Salty foods.
When it comes to snacking, you often have a specific type of food craving. If you want something healthy that meets your salty cravings, bypass the chips and fries, and check out these options:
When it comes to snacking, you often have a specific type of food craving. If you want something healthy that meets your salty cravings, bypass the chips and fries, and check out these options:
• Popcorn is an excellent choice as long as you choose the right type. Buy light butter or low fat butter options for the microwave, pop in a small amount of oil and spray with butter seasoning rather than topping with melted butter. If possible air pop it for the healthiest option and sprinkle with seasoning.
• Nuts and seeds are both nutritious and packed with "good" fats and fiber. Eating nuts and seeds as a snack will also help you feel "full" longer.
• Don't overlook cheese. A small amount of low fat cheese like string cheese is packed with calcium and protein, and makes a great healthy snack.
• Veggies are a great option, but often a bit bland. Mix up plain low fat yogurt with herbs and garlic for a fantastic and very tasty dip.
• Pickles are a low calorie high flavor option.
• Pretzels are a crunchy, salty low fat snack-look for whole grain pretzels to add an extra bit of fiber to your diet.
• Don't overlook cheese. A small amount of low fat cheese like string cheese is packed with calcium and protein, and makes a great healthy snack.
• Veggies are a great option, but often a bit bland. Mix up plain low fat yogurt with herbs and garlic for a fantastic and very tasty dip.
• Pickles are a low calorie high flavor option.
• Pretzels are a crunchy, salty low fat snack-look for whole grain pretzels to add an extra bit of fiber to your diet.
Sweet Snacks:
Craving something sweet? There are things you can eat that are healthy for you and good for you at the same time-so bypass the candy bar for these healthy options:
Craving something sweet? There are things you can eat that are healthy for you and good for you at the same time-so bypass the candy bar for these healthy options:
• Apple with peanut butter: Add natural peanut or other nut butter to slices of apple-the combination is tasty-and packed with fiber and protein to keep you energized.
• Try a low fat Greek style yogurt for a healthy snack that is full of protein and calcium.
• Graham crackers aren't just for kids! Try a few spread with apple butter or pumpkin butter for a sweet but wholesome treat.
• Toast made from whole grain bread can be topped with fruit, peanut butter, or a sweet lowfat cream cheese for a small but tasty afternoon snack.
• Try a low fat Greek style yogurt for a healthy snack that is full of protein and calcium.
• Graham crackers aren't just for kids! Try a few spread with apple butter or pumpkin butter for a sweet but wholesome treat.
• Toast made from whole grain bread can be topped with fruit, peanut butter, or a sweet lowfat cream cheese for a small but tasty afternoon snack.
Any of the above snacks will give you a boost of energy to get you through the rest of the day, without sabotaging your weight loss efforts.
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