Snacks can be an effective aid in losing or maintaining weight. WomensHealthMag.com reports that people who do not eat between meals are more likely to consume more calories by the end of the day. That's because if you never let yourself reach the point of starving, you will be less likely to overeat at meals. Snacking also helps you to choose healthier foods, maintain your energy throughout the day and help you consume a full day's worth of needed vitamins and minerals.
Whole Grain Cereals
Low sugar, high fiber, whole grain cereals can be an ideal snack choice, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pair with a cup of low-fat milk for an excellent combination of protein and complex carbohydrates, which will help you to feel full longer while providing you with plenty of energy. Not paying attention to portion sizes is where calories can add up with cereal, so make sure you stick to one serving; use a measuring cup if necessary.
Leftovers
People often think snack food has to be just that, traditional snack food, but as the Mayo Clinic points out, leftovers from last night's dinner make great between meal treats. Dinners have a better chance of containing healthy, low sugar foods, such as chicken, steamed vegetables and brown rice. Eating a little of each of those foods in the middle of the afternoon will keep your hunger at bay until dinner time.
Smoothies
If you make them yourself, smoothies can look more like a healthy snack food than a milkshake in disguise. Keep it high protein and low sugar by combining low-sugar, low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit and ice in a blender. A little trick: If you use frozen fruit, packed in its own juices rather than sugar, you don't even need to add ice, leaving more room for nutrient-packed food.
Almond Butter
Almond butter is a nutritional powerhouse, containing protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium, calcium and B vitamins. Shape Magazine puts almond butter at the top of its list of high protein, low sugar snacks. The magazine recommends spreading almond butter on an apple or combining it with all natural, low sugar jelly and whole wheat bread for a variation on PB&J.
Popcorn
Another of Shape Magazine's favorites is air-popped popcorn. This low sugar, high fiber snack is filling while also low calorie, as long as you don't load it with butter.
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