The abundance of fast and easy foods gives you plenty of options when it comes to eating on the go. However, processed convenience foods are typically not healthy options. Candy bars, chips and even snack-sized treats provide little nutrition for the calories. If you plan ahead, you'll be armed with low-calorie foods that you can prepare in mere minutes.
Significance
If you stock your pantry with low-calorie grab-and-go foods that taste good and satisfy your hunger, you can avoid impulsive high-calorie indulgences. Foods that are lower in calories are typically lower in fat, as well. Keeping healthy snacks and quick meals on hand can help you manage your weight and improve your overall diet.
Effects
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, explains that eating foods with a high water and fiber content helps you feel full with fewer calories. Foods with a low-calorie density such as fruits and vegetables provide very few calories per gram, allowing you to get more for your calories and stay full longer.
Meals
Whether you're looking for a mini-meal or a full-sized meal, you can put together a low-calorie balanced dish quickly if you have the right ingredients on hand. The American Dietetic Association lists several quick snack ideas worthy of a meal on the go, including a slice of lean turkey with low-fat cheese and mustard on a whole-wheat dinner roll and a tossed salad with mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and reduced-fat dressing. Both of these meal options provide less than 200 calories. Other quick options include tomato soup with whole-grain crackers or a whole-wheat tortilla wrap with black beans and salsa.
Snacks
Although fruit is an easy grab-and-go snack, it's also one of the most nutritious. Fruit options alone give you a wealth of variety when it comes to healthy snacks. Other notable options proposed by the American Dietetic Association include sliced apples with 1 tbsp. peanut butter, a smoothie with bananas, strawberries and fat-free milk, raw vegetables with fat-free ranch dressing and whole-wheat pita wedges dipped in hummus. Popcorn and fat-free milk also make good choices.
Considerations
Incorporating small changes into your diet can help you manage your weight and improve your eating habits. Take a list when you go grocery shopping to ensure that you have healthy choices on hand. Balance your diet with healthy options from every food group, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, reduced-fat dairy and whole grains.
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