Snacking is the one way that many fail to remain on their path to weight loss. It is easy to fall prey to candy bars or soft drinks when you feel like you are starving, and there is nothing close by besides junk food. When your body needs energy, it can’t tell the difference between what a healthy meal and an unhealthy meal is, and the onus is on you to feed it food that is rich in the correct nutrients. Here are ten healthy snacks you should invest in:
1. Apple slices and peanut butter
The apple slices replace cracker bread which is much healthier and tastier. You can use sugar-free, salt-free peanut butter and have it as a regular snack. Apples are not very high in calories, so they are perfect for daily consumption.
2. Whey protein flapjacks
Instead of having the protein shake as a meal replacement drink, why don’t you use the powder and make flapjacks instead? You can make them, freeze them and then heat them whenever you want something that is filling and a little heavier than a shake.
3. Biltong
Biltong is high in protein and low in fat and calories and will make the perfect on the go snack during the day or after you have had a workout. There are recipes online, so if you wondered hows biltong made and wanted to make some for yourself, now is your chance.
4. Greek yoghurt and berries
Greek yoghurt is an excellent probiotic for gut health. It is a promoter of feminine health, increases bone density and regulates your blood pressure. The berries are deliciously low in calories, fight inflammation and high in antioxidants.
5. Oat bars
Snack bars made of rolled oats are a high source of fibre and help your digestive system. A high in fibre diet will promote the production of leptin in the body, the hormone responsible for weight loss.
6. Hummus
You can make your hummus at home and use it to dip veggie sticks in or spread on toast or crackers.
7. Air-popped popcorn
If you are going to eat popcorn, make sure it is the low salted kind with no butter on it. Salt is hygroscopic and absorbs the moisture in the air and holds onto it when you consume it, and your body starts to process it. Stick to popcorn with minimal flavouring.
8. Nuts
Raw nuts are good for boosting mental health and lower triglycerides and cholesterol, so it is also great for your heart health. Nuts contain loads of antioxidants, and they are a high-calorie food, so they are suitable for snacking in between big meals.
9. Bell peppers with mozzarella cheese and spring onions
This is a snack that could quickly turn into a meal if you increase the ingredients you add to it, but if you want to stick to it being a snack, you can make a few of them and store them in the fridge heat later. Bell peppers are high in folate, and they help with preventing anaemia.
10. Rice cakes with low-fat cottage cheese
Plain rice cakes make a filling snack for mid-day or even movie night. It’s relatively easy to make, and you can quickly get both ingredients at any supermarket. Some rice cakes have a bit of flavour added to them, so you want to skip the cream cheese, you can take that option.
