Five Weight-Loss Friendly Snacks You Will Love
But that might also bring thoughts of "tasteless," "cardboard," and "completely unsatisfying."
Right?
Let me give you my best weight-loss friendly snacks that aren't just nutritious but also delicious!
What’s my criteria you ask?
They have to be nutrient-dense whole foods where a little goes a long way; foods that contain protein and/or fiber.
1) Nuts
It’s true - nuts contain calories and fat, but they are NOT fattening!See: Top 5 Most Fattening Foods - Is Your Favorite On the List?
And I’m not talking about the “honey roasted” ones, of course. Those have extra, empty calories.
Studies show that people who eat nuts tend to be healthier and leaner.
By the way, nuts also contain protein and fiber, which means a small amount can go pretty far in terms of filling you up. Not to mention the vitamins and minerals you can get from nuts.
Did you know that almonds have been shown to help with weight loss? At least 10% of the fat in them is not absorbed by the body, and almonds can also help to boost your metabolism!
Calories in 10 Almonds
Tip: Put a handful of unsalted/unsweetened nuts into a small container and throw it in your purse or bag.
2) Fresh Fruit
As with nuts, studies show that people who tend to eat more fruit tend to be healthier. (I’m sure you’re not too surprised!)Yes, fresh fruit contains sugar, but whole fruits (I'm not talking juice or sweetened dried fruit) also contain a fair bit of water and fiber; not to mention their nutritional value with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And fresh fruit is low in calories.
Fiber is something that not only helps to fill you up (known as the "satiety factor") but also helps to slow the release of the fruit sugar into your bloodstream and reduce the notorious "blood sugar spike."
Win-win!
Try a variety of fruit (apples, pears, berries, etc.) and pair that with a handful of nuts.
See: Top 5 Healthy Fruits to Eat for Weight Loss
Tip: Can't do fresh? Try frozen. Plus, they're already chopped for you.
3) Chia seeds
This is one of my personal favourites…Chia is not only high in fiber (I mean HIGH in fiber), but it also contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids (yes THOSE omega-3s!). As well as antioxidants, calcium, and magnesium.
Can you see how awesome these tiny guys are?
They also absorb a lot of liquid, so by soaking them for a few minutes, they make a thick pudding (that is delicious and fills you up).
See: 3 Smart Reasons Why You Need Fiber In Your Diet
Tip: Put two tablespoons in a bowl with ½ cup of nut milk and wait a few minutes. Add in some berries, chopped fruit or nuts, and/or cinnamon and enjoy!
4) Boiled or poached eggs
Eggs are packed with nutrition and most of it is in the yolk.They also contain a lot of high-quality protein and a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
And recent research shows that the cholesterol in the yolks is NOT associated with high elevated cholesterol or heart disease risk.
Yup, you read that right!
When I'm rushed for time, I use a silicone egg poaching cup. Easy-peasy!
See: Suzanne's Low Calorie / High Protein Scrambled Eggs Recipe
Tip: Boil a bunch of eggs and keep them in your fridge for a super-quick (and nutritious) snack! Mark them with an X so you know they've been boiled.
5) Vegetables
I don’t need to tell you how great these are for you, but just maybe I need to sell you on the delicious “snackability” of these nutritional powerhouses.Veggies contain fiber and water to help fill you up, and you don't need me to tell you about their vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, right?
You can easily open a bag of baby carrots and/or cherry tomatoes and give them a quick rinse (they’re already bite-sized).
See: Top 5 Healthy Dark Green Vegetables
Tip: Use a bit of dip. Have you put almond butter on celery? How about trying my new hummus recipe below?
How to Put These Tips Into Action
Go ahead and try one, or more, of these healthy snacks. Prepare them the night before if you need to. They will not be "tasteless," like "cardboard," or "completely unsatisfying." Trust me.Recipe (Vegetable Dip): Hummus
Makes about 2 cups- 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained & rinsed
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash pepper
Directions
1. Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to thin it out with a bit of water, so add it 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time and blend.Serve & enjoy! Tip: Don’t like sesame? Use an avocado in place of the tahini, and olive oil in place of the sesame oil.
Related Posts
7 Healthy Snacks to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Why Bananas Make a Great Weight Loss Snack
How To Break the High-Calorie Snack Habit
Suzanne Hiscock is a PN L2 Certified Master Coach, ACE-certified Health Coach, as well as an ACE-certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist. For over 20 years, she's been helping people lose weight and get fit through her website, FitWatch.com.
And she’s really TRULY SORRY ABOUT THAT. You see, she didn’t realize she was contributing to diet culture; she just wanted to help people feel better. But losing weight isn’t the way to do it. She’s on a mission to change all that with an anti-diet approach. So, pardon the dust on the floor as the website gets revamped.