Are you struggling to lose weight, even after exercising and trying to eat healthy? The real issue may lie in your snacks, as most snack foods have the highest levels of fats, salts, and calories. Snacks like cookies, nachos, milkshakes and caffeinated beverages are crammed with ‘empty’ calories. These can make you gain more weight instead of losing it. If you can swap unhealthy snacks for healthier options; you will see results much faster. Here are seven healthy snacks that are tasty, nutritious and easy to make:
1. Yogurt And Berries
This is another snack that you won’t need to cook. Most kinds of yogurt, especially Greek yogurt have lots of protein, amino acids, and calcium with little fat. Yogurt can also help burn fat and increase muscle mass. Cut up different kinds of berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Toss them into a bowl of organic, nonfat yogurt. Freeze for a few hours to get a tasty treat, rich in protein and antioxidants.
2. Cottage Cheese And Cinnamon
Too lazy to actually cook? Then this snack is for you. Just spoon some cottage cheese into a bowl and sprinkle a bit of powdered cinnamon on top. The cheese is rich in calcium and protein, but low in calories. The cinnamon gives extra flavor and speeds up the digestion of glucose. This will prevent the body from storing the extra fat.
3. Peanut Butter On Toast
Peanut butter is full of ‘healthy’ fats and proteins. Spread some on a slice of whole wheat bread and you have a tasty and hearty snack that can become your new comfort food. This snack is rich in proteins and fiber and will help you gain muscle mass. If you feel like taking it to the next level, add thin slices of banana on top your toast.
4. Salad
Nothing can beat a salad when it comes to healthy eating. Salads are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. They look delicious and taste just as good. Just chop up some cucumbers and tomatoes and combine the two. Drizzle some olive oil and vinegar for a flavorful and low- fat dressing. If you have more time, you can add olives and other fresh items such as spinach, lettuce or even mushrooms.
5. Popcorn
Popcorn can be light and healthy- as long as it isn’t coated in butter and full of salt. It has lots of fiber but has very few calories. Swap the salt and butter for spices and olive oil. You can add a bit of lemon juice and dried oregano. This way, it will be a healthier alternative to the usual popcorn, without losing that great taste.
6. Spiced Nuts
Next time you feel tired at work, grab a handful of spiced nuts and munch on them while you work. Nuts contain the perfect balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Choose nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios to get the most out of your snack. You can also include legumes such as peanuts and chickpeas. Toast them over a low flame and add spices like pepper, curry powder or Italian seasoning. The spices will aid in digestion and reduce inflammation.
7. Tuna-Stuffed Avocado
Avocados are super healthy as they are low in sugar and fat but rich in various vitamins. Combined with tuna, this snack will give you a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also has plenty of protein and omega-3-fatty acids. The tuna complements the creamy, rich avocado; making this a snack that is indulgent without being heavy or fattening. It will also reduce your chances of getting heart disease and inflammation while keeping your cholesterol in check. The best part? It is also filling so you will be less inclined to feel hungry after eating this.