Keeping individual snacks that are healthy and nutritious gives you the upper hand on hunger control, especially if you are on a calorie-restricted diet. Combining wholesome snacks with portion control positively affects your metabolism and appetite. Snacking on foods that are healthy and nutritious helps you to create healthy eating habits and keeps you feeling full until it is time for your next meal.
Vegetables
Vegetables are extremely healthy, can easily be portioned into individual servings and can be eaten in a number of ways. Most vegetables are ready to consume with a simple rinse under cold water while other require a small amount of preparation. Some of the tastiest choices include carrots, celery, cauliflower, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, cucumber, squash, zucchini, avocado and snow peas. Simply place your chosen vegetables in an airtight container, add a little hummus or fat-free ranch dressing on the side and you have a healthy snack that is ready when you are.
Meat and Cheese Roll-Up
A meat and cheese roll-up is a quick individual snack that packs protein and calcium. Take a romaine lettuce leaf and top it with a slice of lean deli meat, such as ham, roast beef or turkey, and top that with a slice of low-fat cheese, such as colby longhorn, mild cheddar or Swiss. A little dab of mustard over the top can give this snack the finishing touch. Roll the lettuce leaf up and enjoy. The key to this snack is to mix up the meats and cheeses to prevent it from becoming boring.
Nuts
Although nuts do not offer the lowest calories of most snacks, their high amounts of healthy fats make them a snack of choice. Your hunger will remain satisfied long after eating nuts because they are packed with protein. Because of their calorie content, you want to ensure that you eat them in small quantities. One oz. is typically sufficient to satisfy any hunger. Select your favorites out of peanuts, walnuts, almonds and pecans and place them into individual-sized baggies that can be grabbed easily.
Apples and Peanut Butter
Slicing up an apple and spreading a thin layer of peanut butter on top of each piece makes for a snack that is sweet and satisfying. While getting a full serving of fruit from the apple, the peanut butter provides you with the protein that is needed to fill you up. Peanut butter also goes well with celery to give you additional variety.
References
- "Eat Right When Time is Tight: 150 Slim-Down Strategies and No-Cook Food Fixes"; Patricia Bannan; 2010
- "Eat This, Not That!"; David Zinczenko; 2008
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