Trying to lose weight? We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 healthy, satisfying snacks. If you are trying to lose weight, you know that snacking between meals is inevitable.
However, not all snacks are created equal and some can sabotage your diet even if you try hard to stay on track. To help with this dilemma, we’ve put together our list of the Top 10 Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss. Keep in mind this list is for snacking, not meals, so you should pair them with healthy meals.
What Makes a Healthy Snack?
Snacking is an important part of losing weight and having a healthy lifestyle in general. However, not all snacks are created equal. There are healthy snacks that will work for you and unhealthy snacking options that will only sabotage your weight loss efforts. Healthy snacks contain ingredients like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that can help maintain your health while you lose the excess fat around your body. In addition to these foods, you should also look for snacks that are satisfying and tasty. Snacking after you eat a meal is an important part of keeping your blood sugar level steady and will also give you the energy you need to succeed in your weight loss journey.
To make sure you select only healthy snacks, read the following tips before making a selection from our Top 10 list:
1) Look at ingredient lists – always read what’s on the package. All foods have some ingredients that can be harmful for your body. However, when you’re trying to lose weight, there are some ingredients that you should avoid completely. These include high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), trans fats, refined sugars and artificial colors. Although these may be present in some very healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, try to go for more natural choices when possible.
2) Smaller packages are better – if your favorite snacks come in large bags or boxes it could be harder for you to stop eating than if they came in smaller packages. This is why you should always choose the smaller option and eat only one portion at a time.
3) Watch your portions – eating the right amount of food is important to keep you energized throughout the day and prevent unnecessary cravings. If your snack package contains multiple servings, it may be best to eat half at a time or divide it into two snacks instead of one large snack. Remember, these are snacks so they shouldn’t replace meals.
4) Eat slower – if you have trouble stopping eating your favorite snack, it may be because you eat too quickly. Don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the taste of each bite.
5) Avoid “guilty pleasures” – although there are plenty of healthy food choices on this list, one must not succumb to the temptation of unhealthy foods as well. These include chips and pastries but also certain other foods such as chocolate, ice cream, cakes and cupcakes.
The top 10 healthy snacks for weight loss:
- Fruit Sticks
These fruit flavored sticks are great to eat on the go. They also taste very nice no matter which fruit you choose to make them with. There are a wide variety of flavors to choose from and they’re really tasty. These fruits come in different shapes and sizes, so you can pick which one it will be easiest for you to eat when it’s on the go. You can easily fit them into your purse or a lunch box, or simply put one or two into your car cup holder. When adding these fruit snacks to your diet, make sure that you don’t eat too many in one sitting as this could lead to unnecessary weight.
- Popcorn
Popcorn is also very tasty and great for snacking on the go. There are a lot of different flavors to choose from for this healthy snack and some can be quite fancy. The best popcorn that you can buy is organic, non-GMO popcorn kernels which you can find at almost any grocery store. If you’re making your own popcorn, make sure not to add too much oil as this will defeat the purpose of eating healthy since one serving contains about 20g of fat.
If you want to make a simple but healthy snack out of popped popcorn, try sprinkling some cinnamon and low fat cheese on top. You can also add your favorite spices, depending on what you like. The trick is to not overdo it and make sure that you don’t consume too much in one sitting.
- Banana Chips
Banana chips are another healthy, tasty snack you can easily fit into your daily routine. These make a great substitute for potato chips and are even better as a snack to have with something like almond butter or low fat cheese. You can also eat these on their own for an afternoon snack or put them in your lunch box to reach for later. As with any other healthy snack, make sure that you don’t eat too many bananas at once because this could lead to unwanted weight.
- Tortillas
Tortillas always make a very tasty snack. They’re great to eat with a side of salsa, guacamole or even some low fat cheese. These are also very versatile, so you can easily put them in your lunch box or simply grab one to eat on the go. You can get tortillas in different flavors like spinach, tomato and roasted corn. You can pick whichever one you want and make them your own by either adding different toppings or choosing to make it healthier by going with white flour tortillas rather than whole wheat ones.
- Squash Sticks
Squash sticks are also quite tasty and good for snacking on the go. You have many different flavors to choose from, such as butter pecan, caramel and cinnamon sugar. You can also buy packages of squash sticks that are already cooked for you. These are convenient and delicious. They’re also a healthy snack that will help you reach your weight loss goals since they’re very low in calories and packed with fiber.
- Applesauce
Applesauce is a great alternative to chips or potato chips. It has a lot of fiber which makes you feel more full and satisfied throughout the day, so you won’t be tempted to go back for more of these unhealthy snacks. Applesauce has a lot of fiber and vitamins like vitamin C, so it’s actually quite healthy. Look for low sodium applesauce as this is a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight since it contains fewer calories. If you prefer flavored applesauce, make sure that the ingredients are healthy. You should also try to avoid sugary added ingredients such as sugar or even high fructose corn syrup which could lead to unnecessary weight loss.
- Fruit Smoothies
Smoothies are also very tasty and great for snacking on the go. There are many different flavors that you can choose from, including mango and strawberry. You can also customize your own smoothie if you want to. All you need is some fruit that you prefer and a blender, then it’s up to you which additions you would like to add. Try adding honey for sweetness or some banana for an added nutrient boost. Another great thing about smoothies is that they are very healthy and include a lot of fiber, making them the perfect weight loss snack.
- Granola Bars
Granola bars are also quite tasty and good for snacking on the go. There are many different flavors to choose from, so make sure that you find the one that best suits your taste buds. If you’re looking for a healthy granola bar that is high in fiber and protein, you should look for one that has at least 4g of fiber for every 12g of carbs. Just like most other tasty snacks, it’s best to stay away from the chocolate chip varieties and choose those with less sugar instead.
- Seeds
Seeds are good to munch on throughout the day and make a great healthy snack if you have some time on your hands. Roasted pumpkin seeds are also great if you’re looking for something salty and crunchy to snack on or if you just want something else to add to your salad or omelet. A lot of different types of seeds can be found in the store, so you can choose whichever ones you like. It’s good to add a little bit of seasoning to your seeds, such as sea salt and pepper, or even some cayenne pepper if you like spicier foods.
- Nuts
Nuts are also a healthy snack that is also great for snacking on the go. Nuts are great for snacking because they’re very nutritious and packed with fiber and protein. There are many different types of nuts to choose from, but almonds and walnuts are both delicious and high in fiber which is especially important when trying to lose unwanted weight. If you have some time to spare, then you can make your own nut mix in the kitchen. Simply throw all the different types of nuts together and bake them for about 10-15 minutes to allow them to toast and get a little crispy texture on their own. You can then serve them with different toppings such as salt, sugar, molasses or even cinnamon.
Conclusion
Staying healthy and fit doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. It can actually be quite simple and fun by using nutritious and healthy snacks. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it and only snack on the
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