Managing your hunger and making sure you are keeping your metabolism at optimal speed are two pretty important parts of any successful weight loss plan. Snacking throughout the day is the perfect win win solution for this. Having several fun and healthy snacks planned for each day can really help with maximizing your fat burning too. With that in mind, I’ve decided to put together this list of fun and healthy snacks for weight loss.
One of the easiest snacks that are both filling and great for you are nuts. Packed with protein and other nutrients, nuts are a snack that’s easy to take with you and will quickly squash your hunger. The best choice when snacking on nuts are almonds since they are considered a superfood. Just be careful and watch your portion sizes when eating nuts as a snack as they are very calorie dense. I like to pre-pack them in little single serve containers, and keep them in my day bag. The best choice are raw or dry roasted, if you are looking for variety, try the dry flavored ones that add flavor without too many calories.
Another one of my favorite snacks, jerky is protein packed and always fun. With a large variety of flavors you can buy a few bags and rotate them through the week. Just pay attention to the brands you buy as there are many out there that have a lot of unneeded additives. Jerky is a great weight loss tool and a guaranteed hunger smasher.
When I’m at home or somewhere else that I actually have time to sit down and enjoy a snack, hummus is always high on my list. It’s simple to make from scratch and you can make it in a bunch of different varieties. Try eating it with pita and lighten the calories and use chopped up veggies. Here’s a fun recipe for eggplant hummus.
Air popped non-buttered popcorn is a fun and healthy go to snack. Packed with fiber it’s super filling. It’s also a great snack to enjoy at your desk since you can eat a large volume of it and still keep the calories low. If you don’t like the idea of plain popcorn you can spice it up by shaking some parmesan cheese and chili powder on it for a fun kick.
Fruits are natures pre-packaged snack. Most fruits are a single self contained serving and are a perfect pick-me-up in either the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. An apple is always a great choice as it has lots of fiber and pectin which is a natural appetite suppressant. Another fun way to enjoy fruit is to chop it up into a nice fruit salad.
Meat & Cheese
If you are looking for a more substantial snack, making yourself a little meat and cheese board is a fun way to jazz up snack time. Just be very cautious of your portion sizes and avoid overly processed meats. I recommend full fat cheeses because they are a lot healthier for you and more satisfying.
Yogurt is a classic healthy snack that can always be satisfying. When you’re choosing yogurt as a snack just be careful as there a lot of unhealthy options out there. Look out for highly sweetened and sugary yogurt as it can do more harm than good. The same goes for ultra low-fat and sugar free yogurt as they typically use way to many chemicals to make up for the missing ingredients. Many studies show that full fat dairy is better for you than low fat, since it improves vitamin absorption and keeps you fuller longer.
Over the years eggs got a bad rap, but in reality they are a perfect snack. High in protein, low in calories, and chock full of vitamins, hard boiled eggs are a fantastic way to keep your energy up throughout the day. Oh and don’t believe the hype about egg whites being good for you. If you are going to eat eggs, go for the whole package.
If you are looking for a indulgent and decadent snack, look no further than a simple piece of dark chocolate. There are a ton of health benefits to consuming dark chocolate (in moderation of course) and sometimes it’s the only thing that will satisfy that 3 o’clock hunger.
When choosing a snack just remember to keep an eye on the total number of calories you’re consuming and try to mix it up each day. Hopefully these healthy and fun snack ideas will keep you On The Road To Fit!
Have any fun and healthy snack ideas of your own? We’d love to hear about them in the comments!
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