5 Healthy Weight-Loss Friendly Snacks You’ll Love

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5 Healthy Weight-Loss Friendly Snacks

You’ll Love

 

Are you a “Snacker”?

 

Let’s be honest – I’ll go first – I’m a “SNACKER”!!

Big Time!

I have this really nice walk-in pantry that is loaded with “snacks”. But not the “Little Debbie” or “Keebler” snacks. No, I’m talking about nuts, dried fruit, gluten free cheese crackers (which I’m snacking on while writing this) kind of snacks.

 

The problem with most of us is the constant need to be on the go. We meet ourselves coming and going, which causes a multitude of health problems. Our natural selves grab the heavy on the sugar snacks because we need the energy to get us through the rest of the day. I never even considered that there was a “healthy snack”, I just ate whatever was convenient.

 

What about you?

 

Then I began my transformation into a healthier lifestyle and learned a whole different way of eating. I began to choose snacks that worked within my weight loss goals and were nutritious too. When we begin our health journey we don’t consider the words “weight-loss” and “snacks” in the same sentence. Weight-loss does not equal starvation. 

 

So, don’t think that your snacks must be “tasteless,” “cardboard,” and “completely unsatisfying.” 

 

NOT TRUE!!

 

Whew – Aren’t you glad to hear that?

 

Let me give you my best weight-loss friendly snacks that are not only nutritious but also delicious!

 

What’s my criteria you ask?

 

They have to be nutrient-dense whole foods where a little goes a long way;  foods that contain protein and/or fiber.

 

Here’s My 5 Healthy Weight-Loss Friendly Snacks You’ll Love …

 

First on my healthy snack list is… Nuts

 

It’s true – nuts contain calories and fat, but they’re NOT fattening! If they were, I would be the size of the side of a barn. I eat nuts throughout the day and have maintained my weight loss for over 5 years. 

 

Well, I’m not talking about the “honey roasted” ones, of course. Those probably are fattening.

 

Studies show that people who eat nuts tend to be healthier and leaner.

 

By the way, nuts also contain protein and fiber, 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. When the “snack attack” hits, eat 10 nuts to satisfy that little snack monster. I recommend Almonds or Walnuts. 

 

 

My second best snack food is –  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, but whole fruits (I’m not talking juice or sweetened dried fruit) also contain a fair bit of water and fiber; not to mention their nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And fresh fruit is low in calories.

 

Fiber 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, which is a time saver for busy woman on the go. 

 

 

Third on my list is – Chia seeds

 

This is one of my personal favorites…

 

Chia is not only high in fiber (I mean HIGH in fiber), but it also contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids (yes THOSE omega-3s!). As well as antioxidants, calcium, and magnesium.

 

Can you see how awesome these tiny guys are?

 

They also absorb a lot of liquid, so by soaking them for a few minutes, they make a thick pudding (that is delicious and fills you up).

 

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 is my favorite late night snack attack recipe.

 

Don’t have nut milk? No problem, mix 2 tablespoons of nut butter with 8 ounces of water and you have your very own nut milk. Can’t get any simpler than that. I NEVER buy nut milk from the store, due to added chemicals. Just make your own. A lot less expensive too. 

 

 

4th on my list for snacks is –  Boiled 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! You can now eat eggs without FEAR!

 

Tip: Boil a bunch of eggs and keep them in your fridge for a super-quick (and nutritious) snack! I do this on Sunday and have them throughout the week. 

 

5th on my snack list of course is – 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 my new hummus recipe below?

 

I take my cherry tomatoes and my hummus dip to tie me over until dinner time. 

 

So, Are you convinced yet? 

 

We can snack and lose weight at the same time. I did it and so can you. Go ahead and try one, or more, of these healthy snacks. Prepare them the night before if you need to. They’ll not be “tasteless,” like “cardboard,” or “completely unsatisfying.”

 

Trust me.

 

In fact, here’s a recipe to help you get started. It’s my “Humus Dip” for my snack vegetables. 

 

 

References:

 

https://authoritynutrition.com/20-most-weight-loss-friendly-foods/

https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/almonds/

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/encyclopedia/food/almonds/

https://authoritynutrition.com/is-fruit-good-or-bad-for-your-health/

https://www.dietvsdisease.org/best-fruits-diabetics/

https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/apples/

https://authoritynutrition.com/fresh-vs-frozen-fruit-and-vegetables/

https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/encyclopedia/food/eggs/