If you are like most people, there are certain times of the day when you want a snack. Not a full meal, just something to tide you over and stave off hunger pangs.
But this can be tricky because the temptation is to just grab anything to fill the gap. Most often, these ‘grabs’ are unhealthy choices that don’t always fill you up enough and are also high in calories and fats.
The trick is to have your snacks planned ahead of time and readily available. That way, when a snack attack strikes, you can stop it right away without worrying about over-eating or blowing your diet.
If you fail to plan ahead, no doubt you will resort to poor choices. When youre hungry and there is nothing healthy around to eat, the easiest thing is to settle for whatever is available. And these are usually unhealthy choices.
So what are some healthy snack options to have on hand?
Here are six to get you started. They are healthy, low-calorie snacks that are simple to prepare and also taste great. Keep a stash of them around and snack time will be a healthy time.
Anything goes when it comes to fruit. Pick fresh, seasonal fruit that is guaranteed to be full of vitamins, minerals, good carbs, fiber and lots of antioxidants. The best thing about fruit is that your options are always changing with the seasons. Plus, it is super easy to take with you. Mix it up and try different fruits each day.
As a whole grain food, popcorn is a high-quality carbohydrate source that is high in fiber and low in calories. It is a very satisfying snack because it takes longer to chew and makes you feel full sooner. It also keeps you feeling full for longer compared to non-whole grain snacks. If you want to keep the calories down, opt for air-popped popcorn versus oil-popped. If you like, drizzle it lightly with butter and sprinkle over some salt.