When hunger pangs strike, and your next meal is hours away, numerous snacking options may be available to you. You may be tempted to grab the gummy bears on the table or visit the vending machine, but selecting a healthy snack can be more beneficial.
If you seek to shed pounds and maintain a lean physique, you can opt for one of the following nutritious snack choices. These options will satiate your hunger between meals and aid in keeping your stomach flat and toned.
1. Sweet Potato Chips
No need to turn to a bag of potato chips!
Sweet potato is super nutritious and a healthy alternative to anything you’d find in the vending machine.
They’re sweet, tasty and great for crunching on when lunch seems a little too far away.
2. Apples
Apples are a great snack.
Slice them or eat them whole, either way you’re set!
The crunchy and juicy fruit makes snack time a little longer, letting you fill up.
3. Grapes and Walnuts
Eat this combo for a healthy snack!
About one cup of grapes with a handful of walnuts gives you a combo of natural sugars, fiber, healthy fats and protein that will keep you full for hours.
Plus, it’s a tasty sweet and savory combo!
Or skip the walnuts and freeze your grapes. They make a great frozen snack!
4. Almonds
Studies have shown that the more chewing you do, the fuller you’ll feel.
Almonds can be high in calories, BUT they are great for filling you up!
Eat a small handful of almonds (and eat them slowly) for a satiating snack.
5. Hard Boiled Eggs
A hard boiled egg is low in calories and high in protein, meaning you’ll be fuller longer.
If a plain egg doesn’t seem that appealing to you, spice it up with a little sriracha sauce.
6. Watermelon
Watermelon is a great snack. Why?
Not only does it taste great, but it’s low in calories and high in water, so you can eat a lot if it!
Not only is watermelon a refreshing fruit, it is soaked with nutrients.
Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids.
Lycopene has been linked with heart health, bone health and prostate cancer prevention – booyah!
7. Pineapples
Like watermelon, pineapple is also low calories and high in water.
To amp up the taste, consider sprinkling it with lime juice and sea salt for a fun flavor combo!
But remember, do not go for the convenient canned pineapples – they’re packed with high sugar content.
8. Celery
Sometimes, when you crave a snack, your body just wants something to crunch on.
Celery has barely any calories but also little nutritional value.
If you just need something to occupy your mouth, celery is a great option.
9. Edamame
Do you ever wonder why many Japanese women are slim?
Well, it’s an open secret that they all love Edamame.
Edamame is a great source of both fiber and protein.
In fact, one cup of edamame is about a third of both the required daily amounts of protein and fiber, so snack away!
10. Turkey Slices
Roll up five slices of roasted turkey with spicy mustard and roasted red peppers inside.
This mini meal is about 150 calories and filling enough to get you to another meal without killing your diet.
11. Yogurt
Filled with probiotics, yogurt is a great snack to set you on the path to a flat belly.
Chose a low-fat option or a Greek yogurt.
It will keep you full until your next meal and, if you chose the right flavor (by right, we mean plain yogurt with fresh fruits), help out with a sweet tooth!
12. Graham Crackers
Want a cookie?
Resist the unhealthy urge and grab a graham cracker instead.
If you eat two graham crackers spread with one tablespoon of light peanut butter, you’ll have your own healthy version for about 155 calories.
13. Organic Cheese Sticks
Each stick of cheese is 80 calories and a good source of protein!
Not only will it hit the spot, but it will also keep you full!
14. Kale Chips
If you haven’t tried Kale chips, you’re missing out – they’re crunchy with an addictive flavor.
Kale chips are a low energy density food, meaning that you can eat a lot of them without adding many calories to your diet.
Kale chips are the perfect weight loss food, as they give you an energy boost without promoting weight gain.