Although our bodies hunger for food throughout the day for sufficient energy, we more often than not reach for those unhealthy junk food cravings, as opposed to obvious healthy choices like apples. Instead of finding salvation from the munchies with salty potato chips that leave you feeling bloated, the following snacks are a secret solution to staying slim and fit, while satisfying your cravings. Depending on what you choose to eat between meals can result in an energy slump, or better yet, boost your metabolism and efficiently aid in weight loss.
10) Fruit Salad
Daily fruit salads improve health and fat reduction; fruits contain minerals and vitamins that are essential for a long and healthy life. By combining all of your favourite fruits together, topping it off with plain yogurt, and lastly, by adding crushed seeds and nuts, fruit salads offer varying health benefits and appealing tastes. Fruit salads embody healthy improvements through the following: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, folic acid, fiber content, increased energy levels, and minimal calories. To put simply: fruit salads are advantageous for our immune and digestive systems, which enhance effectiveness in weight loss and prevention of disease and illnesses.
9) Natural Granola bars
Some of us who eat granola bars pay little attention to the sugar content, despite it being comparable to candy bars. Surprisingly, a large amount of marketed granola bars contain many artificial flavours and ingredients that are terrible for your body. Look out for the ingredient, ‘high-fructose corn syrup,’ it is a sweetener that makes people continue to feel hungry. Granola, when naturally made, can be a tasty breakfast or snack that contributes to health benefits. This includes the lowering of cholesterol, manages diabetes, and the regulation of digestion.
8) Cottage Cheese-filled Avocado
This dairy and fruit combination is amazing for those cravings of something savory and creamy. Preparation is merely removing the avocado pit and replacing the space with just 2 ounces of 1% cottage cheese. Avocados provide an omega-3 fatty acid- one of the essential fatty acids for a normal human development and growth. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids effectively prevents and treats the diseases of the cardiovascular system; prevention of hypertension, high cholesterol, and the reversal of atherosclerosis (blood vessels that have hardened).
7) Rice Cakes
Eating rice cakes is one of the healthier and more enjoyable snacks in a person’s kitchen. They are typically made with brown rice which is helpful in the diet of someone trying to healthy due to whole grains providing fiber and complex carbohydrates. Normally, rice cakes are fat-free and have low amounts of calories, but contain quite a bit of sodium; rice cakes should be eaten in moderation, as your healthy treat.
6) Edamame
Enjoy a cup of boiled edamame, hot or cold and with salt for a source of iron, protein, and calcium. The consumption of edamame reduces the risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and provides increased levels of energy, while lowering body weight. Edamame also allows for proficient absorption of fat and helps in muscle movement, memory and learning.
5) Almonds
People who seek to slim down will notice cutting back on certain foods or portion size will lead to feeling hungrier throughout the day. That being said, many midday cravings are hard to satisfy. Luckily, almonds are the solution to that seemingly empty stomach. Almonds provide vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and lastly, high-quality protein. These qualities assist in protecting your cells to reduce the possibility of diseases. Moreover, eating just a small quantity of almonds will provide you with sufficient amounts of fiber, which help with fullness.
4) Dark Chocolate
Setting aside small treats for yourself is an incredibly effective weight loss tactic. No longer a guilty pleasure in a healthy lifestyle, dark chocolates suffice in great amounts of antioxidants; dark chocolates help in fighting off diseases, lower blood pressure, and even stimulate healthy blood flow to stop blood clots. Eating dark chocolate 2 or 3 times a week is proven to aid in controlling your body’s blood sugar; dark chocolates defend you against type 2 diabetes. No one said healthy snacks had to be flavourless and unsatisfying, so start including dark chocolate on your grocery list.
3) Popcorn
Not a fan of chocolate? Another favorable snack you don’t have to skip out on is popcorn. Simply snack on plain popcorn as it is a source of whole grains. It is low in fat, high in fiber, and even gives your body some protein. High in fiber foods such as popcorn, lowers your blood cholesterol, decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and similar to dark chocolate- lowers the chance of type 2 diabetes. Next time you binge watch your favourite shows, don’t be afraid of that essential bowl of popcorn.
2) Oatmeal
Those late-night hours are when cravings can do damage to your body and ruin your healthy lifestyle progression. Typically, it is known not snack after 8:00 pm due to your body’s process to store any fat that can produce energy. In the nighttime, the average person decreases in physical activity as they tire and prepare to sleep; the fat in our bodies do not get burned. Fortunately, oatmeal is a fantastic snack that provides your body with carbohydrates and some protein; this duo is healthy for your body and helps you sleep better at night.
1) Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is has a long shelf life as opposed to its fresh fruit counterpart. Going for dried fruits that contain no additives, will contribute a highly incredible amount of health benefits to your life. These great snacks contain a certain type of antioxidant called, ‘phenols,’ that are most commonly found in dates and figs which are also healthy for you. Research show that the antioxidants in dried fruit are advantageous in fighting against heart disease, cancer, those degenerative diseases of the brain and osteoporosis, due to its use in prolonging cell life. Bring some dried fruit next time you’re on the go.
