You Can Fit Healthy Snacks Into Your Weight Loss Plan

Well-planned, healthy snacks can complement your weight-loss plan. Here are creative and healthy ways to satisfy your hunger.

Your stomach is growling, but lunch is hours away. You could indulge yourself with a snack, but you think it’s best to grit your teeth and wait for lunch. Not so, if weight loss is your goal!

Although you may feel guilty about snacking, snacks aren’t necessarily bad. Healthy approved snacks can help manage hunger and reduce bingeing. Eating a healthy snack of a piece of fruit or some raw veggies can tame your hunger without ruining your appetite for your next meal.

The key to incorporating snacks into your weight-loss plan is to keep moderation and balance in mind. Here are three weight loss tips to help you choose wisely:

(1) Know which foods to reach for

§ Fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables provides a feeling of fullness and only a small number of calories. Fruits and vegetables also provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Don’t think you have to eat your veggies plain either! Use your low fat/ fat free salad dressing as a dip or spread some laughing cow cheese on your celery or cucumbers. You can even get creative with mixing up some cut up chives (or another herb of your choice) with a quarter cup fat free plain greek yogurt and use as a dip.

§ Low-fat dairy products. Cheese (cheese sticks) or fat free greek yogurt are good sources of calcium and protein, plus many other vitamins and minerals.

(2) Plan ahead to make better choices

With planning and a little preparation, you can have healthy foods on hand so that you’re ready when temptation strikes:

§ Prepare and pack healthy meals at home.

§ Have healthy snacks available at home and bring nutrient-dense snacks to eat when on the go. (our approved protein bars, pork rinds, dry roasted edamame, turkey/beef jerky)

§ Before attending parties, eat a small, healthy snack at home. Then at the party take small portions and focus on healthy options. (This also goes for people have many after work functions or have active kids whether its dance, sports, etc).