For many people, going on a diet means restricting the foods that they eat. To save calories, most people eliminate snacks altogether. The truth is, snacking is important when you are dieting. Many dieters place too much time between meals, so they become overly hungry and eat larger portions than they should. By eating healthy snacks between your meals, you are able to prevent craving and eat less at larger meals.
Trail Mix
Just because you are on a diet does not mean everything you eat has to be low in fat. As long as you keep the portion size down, a little fat isn't a bad thing, especially when then fats are the healthy variety. Making a trail mix consisting of walnuts, peanuts, almonds and raisins satisfies your cravings for both crunchy and sweet snacks at the same time. A serving consisting of about 1 oz. nuts and 2 tsp. raisins gives you a filling snack that consists of about 225 calories.
Granola Bars
Granola bars can be one of the most difficult snack options to shop for. Some granola bars contain little to no fiber and a great deal of added sugar. By reading labels, you can find some brands that contain at least 5 g fiber and approximately 100 calories per bar. Choose granola bars that are high in fiber to curb your hunger. Choose your favorite brand and stash a few granola bars in your desk to make sure they are handy when hunger strikes.
Orange Slices
Oranges are one of the most popular fruits available. They are sweet and packed with vitamin C. There are numerous varieties of oranges available, with different types being available year round. Oranges are a healthy source of fiber, as well as vitamin B-1. The skin that is located under the skin of the orange contains bioflavonoids, which has numerous health benefits.
Broccoli Florets
Broccoli is easily available at your local grocer and takes almost no time to prepare. Broccoli is a good source of vitamins A, C and K. It is rich in both folate and fiber. Broccoli is full of minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, all of which is used by the body on a daily basis. There are different types and sizes of broccoli. The smaller varieties are sweet while the larger ones are not. Broccoli florets are the perfect size for dipping. Choose hummus or a fat-free ranch dressing, if you choose to dip.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Snacks: How They Fit Into Your Weight-Loss Plan; May 29, 2010
- "Healthy Foods: Fact Versus Fiction"; Myrna Chandler Goldstein; 2010
- "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth"; Jonny Bowden; 2007
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