Here are a few healthy snack ideas for you that will satisfy those cravings, but also keep you on track for your weight loss goals:

High Fiber Diet Cookie Recipe

4 cups of oatmeal (not instant or quick cook)
1 can of cannelloni beans (15 oz), drained
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped raisins or dates
½ cup flaked coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts

Place the oatmeal in a blender and blend until the consistency of flour.    Pour into a bowl and set aside.

Place the beans in the blender and blend until smooth.   Stir in the white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.

Combine the ground oats, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon – blend with the beans.

Stir in the dates or raisins, coconut and walnuts.  Drop heaping spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Source: loseweightandgethealthy.com/2011/04/healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss/

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons light or regular mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fat free sour cream
3 tablespoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs (panko crumbs can be substituted)
3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 can (6 1/2 ounces) crabmeat (or 1 cup fresh crabmeat), rinsed and drained well
Dash or two Tabasco
Black pepper to taste
18 medium sized mushrooms, stems removed

Preparation:

Preheat slow cooker to high heat.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine mayonnaise, fat free sour cream, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Fold in the crabmeat. Add Tabasco and black pepper to taste.
Spoon heaping teaspoons full of crab filling into mushroom caps.
Arrange mushroom caps (crab side up) in the bottom of the preheated slow cooker. Add cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. Reduce heat to LOW and serve the crab-stuffed mushrooms from the slow cooker if desired.

Yield:
Makes 9 servings (2 mushrooms per serving)

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 59 calories, 5 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 2.5 g fat, .6 g saturated fat, 16 mg cholesterol, .5 g fiber, 177 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 38 percent.

Source: medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=98067

Spinach Squares

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 cup unbleached or all-purpose flour (whole wheat can be substituted for half of the flour)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp butter or canola margarine, melted
1/3 cup fat-free or light sour cream
8 oz reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (gently squeeze excess water with hands)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9x9-inch baking dish with canola cooking spray.
2. Beat egg, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and sour cream in mixing bowl on medium-low speed until smooth batter has formed.
3. Stir in cheese cubes and spinach. Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly with spatula, and bake about 35 minutes. Test center to make sure it isn't runny. Let sit about 10 minutes before serving.
4. Cut the spinach squares after they come out of the oven, then keep them refrigerated. Just eat them cold as a snack or warm what you need in the microwave. These are a low-calorie, higher protein snack with only 17 grams of carbohydrate per serving.

Yield:
9 side servings or snacks

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 188 calories, 12.5 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 525 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 38%.

Source: medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=59552

This is just a quick post to share a link to a survey that is being done by a healthy food producer, Respect Natural. They make veggie burgers, chickenless nuggets & patties and steam-in-the-bag rice products.

Here's a link to the survey they are doing about lunch kits. They may be coming out with a  healthy alternative to the lunch kits that you see now in your grocery stores. Please take a minute and give them some feedback that will help them to develop a healthier alternative for kids for lunch.

http://svy.mk/lHHPT0

I know that many of you have kids and would love a healthy alternative to what's out there now. Thanks for your participation.

If you are a diabetic, chances are that following a strict diet pattern is a major challenge for you. Diabetic people also get hungry frequently. This calls for in-between mealtime snacks. However, given the fact that diabetics must watch their sugar levels throughout the day, the snacks have to be low calorie, healthy, and must fit the overall daily meal plan. We’ve listed 10 everyday healthy snacks that can be incorporated within your daily diet plan. These snacks have been put together to add interest and flavor to your daily diet, apart from helping you stay satiated and healthy. However, check with your personal doctor before you add any of these items to your diet plan.

1.    Raw Fruits and Vegetables

Raw vegetables are full of valuable nutrients, water and fiber. If you stick to raw vegetables that are low on natural sugars, the veggies will actually help regulate or lower your blood sugar. Try eating carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, red and green peppers and cauliflower.

To make the raw veggies interesting, make a dip using nonfat yogurt with a little Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper. Or you can make yourself a nice salsa or a hummus dip. Don’t use more than a tablespoon or two of dip.

2.    Whole Fruits

Whole fruits make excellent healthy snacks and they can be carried anywhere with you. Eat whole apples, papayas, guavas and so on. You need to check with your doctor if you are allowed to eat fruits, since fruits may not be recommended if your sugar levels are uncontrolled. Fruits like grapefruit, oranges, nectarines, grapes, tangerines and persimmons contain about 8-10% sugar. Get a list of the fruits that are allowed for diabetics in general and stick to that list.

3.    Munch on Nuts

You can munch on whole nuts such as cashews, peanuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans. These contain high levels of healthy monosaturated fats, which help lower both cholesterol and heart disease risk. These nuts also contain fiber, which is good for blood sugar regulation and digestion. Note, however, that most nuts are very high in calories, especially calories from fat. Munch on nuts, but keep your portions small. A handful of nuts are sufficient to give you an energy boost and keep you satiated.

4.    Sugarfree Hot Cocoa

If you feel hungry but are not interested in eating something, try a cup of hot Sugarfree cocoa made of 70% cocoa. The greater the cocoa percentage, the more heart-healthy the drink. The taste will still be rich, while the lack of sugar and fat makes it a healthy, filling liquid snack. Use fat-free milk and blend it with a sachet of sugar-free cocoa mix, and enjoy the calcium and antioxidant boost.

5.    Baked Chips With Salsa

For an easy, filing and crunchy snack that tastes great, make some fresh salsa with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, olive oil, salt, pepper and chilies if you want them. For an added crunch and nutrient boost, herb up your salsa with chopped coriander, parsley and oregano. This will give you a necessary boost of vitamin C. Bake your chips instead of frying them to reduce the calories. A handful of low fat baked chips will give you the necessary carbohydrates, potassium and protein while the salsa offers freshness and crunch. This is one of the best snacks for those afternoon cravings.

6.    Fatfree Popcorn

Popcorn is high-fiber, crunchy and very filling. The smell of popcorn kennels as they pop satisfies your senses as well. You can either opt for low fat microwavable or air popped popcorn, or pop your corn in a thick-bottomed pan. A single serving of popcorn, provided you don’t go overboard on the oil, will give you only 45 to 60 calories and a couple of grams of fat.

7.    Thin Wheat Crackers With Hummus And Tomatoes

Crackers are a good way of keeping hunger pangs away. Choose thin whole-wheat crackers that are baked without butter or oil. Eat these with a creamy hummus dip made of chickpeas, garlic and sesame tahini. This snack brings you several essential nutrients along with great flavors. Add a few slices of firm red tomatoes for the vitamin C. Restrict yourself to about 12 crackers at a time.

8.    Colored Bell Peppers With Low-Fat Dip

Chop up green, red and yellow peppers into long thin strips. Eat them along with a homemade, low fat dip of yoghurt with seasonings and herbs. You can also try low fat sour cream with seasonings.

The crisp, sweet peppers will give you a terrific boost of vitamin and nutrient goodness while the yoghurt dip will give you the much-needed calcium. You can enjoy good quantities of this snack, as the raw peppers are very low calorie. Go easy on the dip though. If you are not confident of making a nice dip on your own, you can buy a good low fat dip from any health store.

9.    Fatfree Flavored Yogurt

Yoghurt makes for a great snack at any time and it’s healthy as long as it’s fat free. You can buy fat free yoghurt in different flavors; they make wonderfully sweet and nourishing treats. Yogurt gives you carbohydrates, protein and fat. If you buy fruit-based yoghurts, you get the additional vitamin C and fiber from the fruits as well.

A single cup of yogurt can provide you with 30 percent of your daily calcium requirements. Live-active cultures within the yoghurt help calcium absorption as well, keeping your digestive system healthy.

10. Sugarfree Frozen Bars Of Fruit Juice

On a hot summer afternoon, what can be better than a cold bar of frozen fruit juice? You can buy these refreshing fruit pops or create your own. Frozen fruit bars are low in sodium and are predominantly fat free. Puree different fruits, add your favorite sweetener to it and freeze it in Popsicle containers to make your own juicy frozen fruit pops.

This guest blog post was written by John, who runs an online scrubs store where you can shop for branded lab coat, scrub sets and jackets.

1. Granola (or their favorite crunchy cereal) and low-fat, organic yogurt

This is a great snack idea for kids who can't get enough of their favorite cereals. Pack the cereal or granola along in a separate bag with a container of their favorite flavor of yogurt. Kids can have fun mixing and eating the two during snack time and be getting the vitamins and nutrients they need throughout the day to stay healthy and energized. This combination can be used for healthy snacks after school days or on non-school days as well.

2. Ants on a Log

Ants on a log is just a clever title for celery filled with crunchy peanut butter and topped with sweet raisins. Celery and peanut butter is a classic, kid-approved combination that is always a healthy snack parents can agree on for the perfect balance of protein and vitamins. Adding sweet raisins to the top will bring a little more fruit nutrients into your child's diet, while making it a more fun food to eat.

3. Fruit Kabobs

Kids can often be tricked into eating food that is good for them if they are presented in an exciting way. For fun fruit kabobs, you can slice up different fruits into fun shapes that your kids will love. For example, use cookie cutters to make pineapple hearts, apple stars and triangle-shaped melons. You can use dulled kabob sticks that will keep the fruit secure without putting your child at risk for injury. Fruit kabobs are sure to quickly become a favorite with your child. If you're uneasy about the kabob stick, simply put the cut up fruit in a container and your kid will be sure to love it all the same.

4. Whole wheat crackers with cheese, peanut butter or hummus topping

You can find whole wheat crackers from all the most popular cracker brands your kids already love. Whole wheat is better than other types of crackers because it is nutrient dense, protein dense and full of healthy fibers to give your child energy and improve his or her heart health. Let your child choose from a favorite food dip of peanut butter and hummus or apply some sliced cheese. You can't go wrong with this nutritious and delicious snack.

5. Frozen yogurt on a pretzel stick

This snack involves a bit of creativity, but it's sure to be your child's favorite replacement for artificially flavored and sugar-filled popsicles. You can buy popsicle-shaped molds at many stores around the country, or you can simply use an ice cube tray for smaller pops. For the popsicle molds, you simply pour in your child's favorite, organic yogurt and place a sturdy pretzel stick in the middle. The pretzel stick will act as the popsicle stick so your child can have a healthy snack even after the popsicle is gone. Leave these in the freezer overnight and wake up to healthy snacks for a hot summer's day!

About the author: Diane Johnson writes about a number of her interests including shopping, <a href="http://www.classesandcareers.com/">online classes</a>, and traveling.

With that in mind, I have recently started experimenting with a new vegetable I found called Moringa. Moringa is a plant that has many different nutritional properties and can be prepared in a multitude of ways. Almost every part of the Moringa tree can be eaten, from the bark to the pods, leaves and flowers—and each part of the plant provides all the essential amino acids and many vitamins.

Moringa leaves have more vitamin A than carrots and more calcium than milk (though some of the calcium is in the form of calcium oxalate crystals, which isn’t available to the human body). The leaves are often used to replace spinach in recipes, and it’s no wonder why, because Moringa leaves have more iron than spinach itself does. The leaves of the plant contain more potassium than bananas and more vitamin C than oranges, and the protein level in the Moringa plant is equal to that of milk and eggs.

It’s more common in places like India, where people eat every part of the plant, similar to how Native Americans would eat the entire buffalo. It’s becoming more popular in the United States though, and there are many great recipes that include this super food. Here are a couple different ways to use Moringa as a healthy snack.

The leaves are often used like spinach, but they can also be dried and crushed, creating a type of powder that can be used on top of salads or in soups, sauces and dips. The pods (usually called drumsticks) can be prepared like green beans—but they taste more like asparagus.

One of the easiest snacks though is to take out the seeds from the pods and eat them like you would nuts. Once the seeds are dried, you can roast them, or you can sauté them or eat them raw. If you roast them, they’ll last a lot longer and you can snack on them for some time.

A healthy morning snack is to put about 2-4 teaspoons of Moringa powder in your smoothie. The taste blends really well with berry smoothies (think strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries) rather than with fruits like apricots or oranges.

For a little bit more inspiration, try out these steamed Moringa muffins, where you can either dry out your own leaves to crush into powder, or simply buy the powder itself. The muffins will turn out a bright, vivid green, which is great for enticing kids to be more healthy, plus, who can resist healthy muffins?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup powdered milk (skim, if you want to be more healthy)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons Moringa powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 ¼ cups water
• 2 tablespoons vanilla

Directions:

Mix all the dry ingredients before adding in the wet ingredients. Mix until there aren’t any lumps. Pour mixture into a muffin tin, filling the molds ¾ full. Steam (not bake) inside a steamer for 10-12 minutes.

When you find yourself reaching for a snack, keep Moringa in mind as a healthy alternative to store-bought, packaged foods.

When you get an attack of the munchies it seems like the attraction of the cookie jar or that bag of chips seems incredibly strong, right? What if there is no one around to see you 'cheat' and grab some junk food. Comfort food seems to hold a power over us sometimes and the hungrier you get the less power you have to resist it.

If you are on a new diet or just starting a weight training regimen, your appetite will skyrocket in the beginning sending you foraging in the cabinets to satisfy that ravenous hunger that comes after a strenuous workout.

One strategy is to avoid buying those naughty 'trigger' foods that often send you on a downward spiral. If those forbidden foods are in your house eventually you will eat them. You might be able to exert your will power initially, but you will give in eventually as most of us will. So, what's the alternative? How do we keep from slipping back to this destructive behavior that only ends up adding to our hips and thighs?

A smart solution is to replace those unhealthy snack foods in your house with healthy snack alternatives. But what do those healthy snacks taste like?

Well, Carolyn Hansen, the author of 100 Healthy Raw Snacks And Treats, knows all about this problem. She was determined to find snack recipes that did not include the usual ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, and she has replaced these with healthy substitutes that she could live with as a bodybuilder looking to maintain a healthy diet during her preparations for physique contests. That was some years ago now, and today she is making the recipes she came up with during that period available to anyone who could benefit from being able to grab low-calorie snacks on the run that also taste great.

If you could take a look at some of the pictures of the snacks and treats that she has come up with you would not hesitate to volunteer to be a taste tester in her kitchen. Carolyn shares how you can make cheesecake alternatives that use no dairy but look and taste just as delicious? This is just one of the recipe types that fill her book.

For more information on this mouth-watering topic I recommend you go to her site at 100 Healthy Raw Snacks and Treats, and quickly grab yourself a copy of her recipe book and put your blender to work. Do you know the nice thing about Carolyn's recipes? You don't even need a stove to prepare them - these are all no cook recipes made from natural ingredients that can go right into your mouth! How convenient is that? Healthy snacks that are easy to prepare.

Fruit is a healthy snack

Belly fat can stop you from buying that perfect little black dress which you have been eyeing since last summer or wearing a skimpy two-piece swimsuit in Hawaii. People want to lose the belly fat and love handles, and they want to lose it fast. The secret to losing belly fat is taking in just the right amount of calories that the body needs to function properly and burning as many calories you can through exercise. I believe that most people agree that the latter is harder as you need to allocate time, money, and effort to do it. What we put inside our body is easier to manage than trying to burn the fat off. Since people love to eat snacks in between work, while watching TV, or even when they are just bored, this article provides healthy snack options that contain less than 100 calories.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vare among the healthiest snacks as they give a person the feeling of fullness yet they contain very little amount of calories. As a bonus, fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins and minerals that help in making the body healthy.

Food Portion Size Calories

Celery 1 stick 5
Lettuce 30 g 5
Cucumber 1 medium size 10
Broccoli 100g 20
Cranberries 100g 15
Blackberries 100g 25
Strawberries 100g 27
Fresh Apricot 100g 29

Whole grain snacks

Whole grain snacks are great energy-giving food because they contain good amounts of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Also, whole grain snacks contain lesser calories.

Brown rice cake 9g 35
Whole wheat bread 28.3g 70
Whole grain crackers 5 crackers 70

Nuts and Seeds

Most nuts and seeds contain high fat, however they are monounsaturated fat which is beneficial to the body because it reduces the bad cholesterol (LDL) while increases the good cholesterol (HDL). It is also rich in protein that helps in building and repairing the muscles. Most nuts and seeds contain high amount of calories so eating it in moderation is a must, below are some nut and seed snacks that contain low amount of calories.

Air-popped popcorn 1 oz. 31
Roasted Breadfruit seeds 1 oz. 59
Chinese chestnuts roasted 1oz. 68
Almond butter 1 tbsp. 89
Unsalted peanut butter 1 tbsp. 95

Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-Fat Dairy Products are excellent source of calcium. Calcium is needed by the body to make the teeth and bones healthy. Most dairy products are high in fat thus making it high in calories. So, choose the non-fat or low-fat version of these dairy products.

Reduced fat yogurt 3.5oz 45
Skimmed milk 3.5oz 38
Low-fat cottage cheese 3.5oz 80

Eating low-calorie food is a great way to lose belly fat, however you must remember that you need all the types of nutrients found in different food groups to stay healthy; fats and protein from nuts, carbohydrates from whole grain food, vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables, and calcium from low-fat dairy products. If you are really determined to lose that bulging belly fat, a balanced diet and regular exercise are the sure ways to do it.

A HAndful o f Almonds

It's the wide fluctuations caused by eating large quantities of foods that are high in simple carbohydrates, like those found in white sugar, that can lead to adult onset, or type II diabetes.

A few years back, carbohydrates developed a bad reputation as extreme diets almost completely eliminated them. But, carbs are necessary for energy. You just need to learn how to choose the right kinds of carbs to support your health.

Eating foods on the lower end of the glycemic index helps stabilize blood sugar levels to support a healthy metabolism, weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other ailments caused by obesity and poor dietary habits.

The glycemic idex ranges from (Red) High, which is over 70, (Yellow) Medium, which ranges from 56-69, and (Green) Low, which is any food that falls in the 55 and below range.

If you want to find out the glycemic index of a particular food, you can use this handy online database:

http://www.glycemicindex.com/

The benefits of eating from the low end of the GI invclude:

• weight loss
• weight loss maintenance
• reduction in heart disease risk
• reduce hunger and sugar cravings
• promote greater endurance
• lower blood cholesterol levels
• better management of diabetes

  Now that we're clear on why eating low glycemic index foods is better for our bodies. Let's look at some ideas you can try for healthy snack foods that use low GI ingredients:

  • Nuts
    -choose dry roasted nuts with no sugars or flavors added. Measure out a small handful rather than eating them right out of the can.

  • Yogurt
    -Non-fat or low-fat with no added sugar. You can add a handful of fresh blueberries or another cut-up fresh fruit for flavor.

  • Vegetables & Dip
    -Slice carrots, and celery, chop up Broccoli florets and dip them in guacamole, hummus, or salsa.

  • Low-fat cheese
    Combine low-fat cheese and whole grain crackers for a healthy snack option.

  • Fresh fruit
    It doesn't get much simpler than eating a piece of fresh fruit for a snack.

  • Smoothies
    Toss some berries, 1/2 cup of yogurt, and peach or mango slices along with a bit of crushed ice into a blender and you've got a delicious, healthy snack.

    Tips:
    The more highly processed a (carb) food is, the more likely it is to have a high glycemic index.

    • Avoid white foods such as: white sugar, potatoes, white flour, rice
    • Look for whole (not necessarily multi) grains.
    • Buy 100% whole wheat bread
    • Focus on getting a wide variety of natural, unrefined, whole foods that are as close to the way nature created them as possible and you are well on your way to a healthier way of eating.

      RESOURCES:

      http://www.glycemicindex.com/

      ]]> http://www.healthysnackblog.com/low-glycemic-index-healthy-snack-recipes/feed/ 0 http://www.healthysnackblog.com/impromptu-granola-bars/ http://www.healthysnackblog.com/impromptu-granola-bars/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 23:32:52 +0000 Admin http://www.healthysnackblog.com/?p=142

      Impromptu Granola Bars

      I have to confess that I, the author and host of a healthy snack blog, have been buying store bought granola bars. I love to cook and bake, but it's been crazy busy lately, so I haven't made granola bars in months. This morning, while standing in the produce aisle at Safeway trying to choose which Odwalla bar to buy for breakfast, I decided that I would instead go home and make granola bars form scratch.

      A warning is in order here because I learned to cook from watching both of my grandmothers, who were not big fans of measuring things, so these amounts are estimates. I went into the kitchen and just whipped these up. You can feel free to add, delete or substitute ingredients according to your taste. You need to have enough liquid to make the grains hold together in a bar, but not enough to make it into batter.

      Next time I'll add sunflower seeds and sesame seeds and maybe swap the chocolate chips for raisins to mix it up a little. Add what you like and what your kids like to eat.

      So, here is my recipe for Impromptu Granola Bars:

      Preheat oven to 350 degrees
      Oil a 13" x 9" baking pan with sides (not a cookie sheet)

      4 cups rolled oats
      1/2 cup ground flax meal
      1/2 cup whole wheat flour
      1/4 cup chopped, raw Almonds
      1/4 Tsp salt
      1/2 Tsp baking powder
      1 Tsp Cinnamon

      1 beaten egg
      1/2 cup canola oil
      1/4 cup Agave nectar
      1/4 cup Brown Rice Syrup
      1/2 Tsp Vanilla extract

      1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

      Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In another bowl mix the liquid ingredients together with a whisk. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until all of the dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the chocolate chips.

      Pour the mixture into the pan. Using a rubber spatula press it down and into the corners of the pan. Lower the oven temperature to 325. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Allow it to cool slightly and then cut into bars. If you let them cool too long you might have a difficult time cutting them.

      Keep the granola bars sealed in a plastic container and use them in a few days. I typically freeze half the batch.

      ]]> http://www.healthysnackblog.com/impromptu-granola-bars/feed/ 5 http://www.healthysnackblog.com/how-to-lose-weight-by-eating-healthy-snacks/ http://www.healthysnackblog.com/how-to-lose-weight-by-eating-healthy-snacks/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:09:24 +0000 Admin http://www.healthysnackblog.com/?p=133

      Please welcome guest blogger, Chris, from the http://www.howtoloseweighthealthy.com blog.

      Many people have the misconception that to lose weight you need to completely cut down on snacks. This is wrong and misleading because not all snacks are harmful to your weight loss efforts and health. There are various snacks that are healthy, tasty and can help you lose weight at the same time.

      One of the secrets of weight loss is eating smaller meals every 3-4 hours instead of the classic three main meals. By doing so you will gradually increase your metabolism, you will consume fewer calories, you avoid hunger, you stabilize blood sugar and the digestion process becomes easier and more efficient.

      So eating snacks throughout the day can help you lose weight, the problem is eating the right type of snacks and the proper quantities.
      
      What are Healthy Snacks?

      Usually when we think of snacks our mind goes to sweets and other items that are high in fat, sugars and calories. This type of snacks certainly cannot help you save pounds; on the contrary regular consumption of these will increase your weight and may cause other problems to your health. The type of snacks you should eat is the healthy ones. These have the following characteristics:

    • They are high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, beans, low fat dairy, peas)
    • They include carbohydrates but low sugars (whole grains, nuts)
    • They include small amounts of protein and mono-saturated fats, substances that are essential for our body (seeds, olive, hazelnuts, low fat cheese)
    • They are low in calories and fat

    The best way to avoid unhealthy snacks is to get rid of them. Examine your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator and throw away anything that does not meet the above criteria and make sure the next time you go to the grocery store to fill your refrigerator with different fruits and vegetables and other healthy snacks

    As mentioned above the quantity of snacks you eat is also important. Healthy snacks can help you lose weight if you eat them at moderate quantities. If you eat large quantities of healthy snacks then the results will be the opposite. As a rule of thumb each snack meal should be between 150-200 calories. For example: an apple and low fat yogurt or a handful of nuts hazelnuts. Examine the food labels and find out the calories of each snack and plan your meals accordingly.

    Finally some easy tips to follow for easy snacking:

    • Snack only when you are feeling hungry
    • Eat snacks at least 2-3 hours before meals
    • Make sure that you bring snacks with you--vending machine snacks are usually high in calories and fat.
    • Accompany your snacks with plenty of water

    Happy healthy snacking!

    ]]> http://www.healthysnackblog.com/how-to-lose-weight-by-eating-healthy-snacks/feed/ 0