Five Weight-Loss Friendly Snacks to Try
Transforming your snacking habits can transform your body!
The words “weight-loss” and “snacks” don’t often appear in the same sentence unless they conjure up thoughts of “tasteless,” “cardboard,” and “completely unsatisfying” too!
But you can snack and lose weight, in fact, if you’re going long periods between meals then it’s a good idea or your hunger signals will be firing so loudly that you’ll probably end up reaching for the nearest edible item and usually that won’t be a good thing for any weight loss plans
To be suitable snacks when you’re trying to lose weight though they have to be nutrient-dense whole foods where a little goes a long way; foods that contain protein and/or fibre.
So here’s a few ideas –
1 – Nuts
It’s true – nuts contain calories and fat, but they are NOT fattening!
Well, I’m not talking about the “honey roasted” ones, of course. Those are fattening.
Studies show that people who eat nuts tend to be healthier and leaner.
By the way, nuts also contain protein and fibre, which means a small amount can go pretty far in terms of filling you up. Not to mention the vitamins and minerals you can get from nuts.
Did you know that almonds have been shown to help with weight loss? At least 10% of the fat in them is not absorbed by the body, and almonds can also help to boost your metabolism!
Tip: Put a handful of unsalted/unsweetened nuts into a small container and throw it in your purse or bag.
2 – Fresh Fruit
As with nuts, studies show that people who tend to eat more fruit, tend to be healthier. (I’m sure you’re not too surprised!)
Yes, fresh fruit contains sugar so don’t go mad. One or two pieces a day at most, but whole fruits (I’m not talking juice or sweetened dried fruit) also contain a fair bit of water and fibre; not to mention their nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And fresh fruit is low in calories.
Fibre is something that not only helps to fill you up (known as the “satiety factor”) but also helps to slow the release of the fruit sugar into your bloodstream and reduce the notorious “blood sugar spike.”
Win-win!
Try a variety of fruit (apples, pears, berries, etc.) and pair that with a handful of nuts.
Tip: Can’t do fresh? Try frozen. Plus, they’re already chopped for you. In fact, stick some sweet grapes in the freezer and you’ve got a simple, healthy go to when you fancy chowing down on a packet of sweets.
3 – Chia seeds
Chia is not only high in fibre (I mean HIGH in fibre), but it also contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids (yes THOSE omega-3s!). As well as antioxidants, calcium, and magnesium.
How awesome are these tiny powerhouses?
They also absorb a lot of liquid, so by soaking them for a few minutes, they make a thick pudding.
Tip: Put two tablespoons in a bowl with ½ cup of nut milk and wait a few minutes. Add in some berries, chopped fruit or nuts, and/or cinnamon and enjoy! This solves any pudding cravings you might have.
4 – Boiled or poached eggs
Eggs are packed with nutrition and most of it is in the yolk.
They contain a lot of high-quality protein and a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
And recent research shows that the cholesterol in the yolks is NOT associated with high elevated cholesterol or heart disease risk.
Yup, you read that right!
Tip: Boil a bunch of eggs and keep them in your fridge for a super-quick (and nutritious) snack!
5 – Vegetables
I don’t need to tell you how great these are for you, but just maybe I need to sell you on the delicious “snackability” of these nutrition powerhouses.
Veggies contain fibre and water to help fill you up, and you don’t need me to tell you about their vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, right?
You can easily open a bag of baby carrots and/or cherry tomatoes and give them a quick rinse (they’re already bite-sized).
Tip: Use a bit of dip. Have you put almond butter on celery? How about trying out a hummus recipe?
Conclusion:
Go ahead and try one, or more, of these healthy snacks. They’re so quick and easy to prepare and so much better for you than anything you’ll get out of a packet! They will not be “tasteless,” like “cardboard,” or “completely unsatisfying”
References:
https://authoritynutrition.com/20-most-weight-loss-friendly-foods/
https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/almonds/
https://authoritynutrition.com/is-fruit-good-or-bad-for-your-health/
https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/apples/
https://authoritynutrition.com/fresh-vs-frozen-fruit-and-vegetables/
https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/