When it comes to losing weight, the wrong snack can easily derail your efforts. Choosing a healthy snack that you don’t like can feel even worse. The good news is that there are many options out there for healthy weight loss snacks that you’ll have no problem adding to your regular diet routine.
What Are Healthy Snacks?
Unlike the snacks that are associated with weight gain, healthy snacks tend to be nutrient-rich mini-meals. They’re meant to do more than temporarily satisfy a craving. Ideally, a healthy snack should have about 200 to 250 calories, 10 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. That combination contributes to your nutrition without blowing your diet. Being a good source of water is an additional benefit.
Why Should We Eat Healthy Snacks?
A proper diet can be more complicated than denying yourself certain meals or snacks. It’s also about choosing the right foods throughout the day.
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Healthy snacks can help to keep you feeling full in between meals, which reduces the risk of you overeating at meal times or caving and having an unhealthy snack.
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Is Popcorn A Healthy Snack?
Whether or not popcorn is a healthy snack depends on how it’s made and any additional ingredients. Generally, nutritionists recommend the air-popped version as this has only 100 calories while being full of fiber.
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You should also nix the added butter and salt. If you want some flavor, consider a drizzle of olive oil or a dash of Parmesan cheese.
What Snacks Are Good For Weight Loss?
The snacks that encourage weight loss usually support the rest of your weight management program. That means packing a lot of nutrients in a few calories.
Avoid snacks that are heavily processed and contain high levels of unhealthy fats, salt, or sugar. While there isn’t a specific snack that sheds pounds, they can support your goal.
For example, kale has been shown to lower plasma glucose levels, which can help with weight loss.
Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss
Many healthy snacks for weight loss require little to no effort to prepare. If you’re open to making these mini-meals from scratch, it widens your options.
Though they’re often plant-based, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a few animal-based healthy snacks.
In fact, the protein in eggs and turkey can help to promote feelings of being full so you eat less.
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Here Are 20 Healthy Weight Loss Snacks
- Dates - One date contains protein, fiber, and a healthy dose of antioxidants.
- Grapes - One cup of grapes has fiber, protein, and antioxidants, plus it’s great for hydration.
- Avocado - Half an avocado contains healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
- Cottage cheese - A half cup of cottage cheese is a great source of protein while having fiber and healthy fats.
- Roasted chickpeas - A half cup of roasted chickpeas is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
- Homemade trail mix (dried fruits and nuts with no added sugar) - Just a half cup of this blend will have a good portion of protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats.
- Turkey roll-ups (turkey and cheese) - Two of these contain protein and healthy fats.
- Hummus and carrots - A cup of baby carrots with a ¼ cup of hummus boasts healthy fats, proteins, fiber, antioxidants, and natural sugars.
- Kale chips - Baking a bunch of kale gives you a savory snack filled with fiber, protein, minerals, and healthy fats.
- Almonds and pomegranate seeds - Combining ½ cup of pomegranate seeds and ¼ cup of almonds gives you a good source of proteins, antioxidants, water, and fiber.
- Pear slices with ricotta cheese - A medium pear and a slice of cheese contain fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Chia seeds - Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Dark chocolate - Two small pieces of dark chocolate contain fiber, protein, magnesium, and iron.
- Hard-boiled eggs - One egg is a great source of protein, vitamins, and healthy fats.
- Whole-grain crackers - Six crackers are a good source of fiber and protein.
- Oatmeal - A ½ cup of oatmeal is high in fiber and protein.
- Green smoothies - Combining a handful each of baby spinach and frozen mango with 3/4-cup low-fat milk plus one tablespoon of ground flaxseed will have protein, fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Shrimp and cocktail sauce - Eight cooked shrimp and a ¼ cup of cocktail sauce contain protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
- Baked sweet potato - One potato holds a high amount of fiber plus protein and healthy fats.
- Mini frittatas - Bite-sized frittatas that include vegetables can be a great source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.
If it’s done right, snacking can certainly contribute to successful weight loss. You’re not limited to the healthy snacks that are listed here either. Over time, you can develop an assortment of go-to treats that will suit your needs.
