Snack Yourself Skinny

Yes, that’s right, you can still snack and lose weight. It’s actually a key component to losing weight, if you’re eating the proper foods. Fueling our bodies regularly throughout the day helps keep our metabolism running at a more constant rate, which supports calorie burning. Eating a healthy, low calorie snack in between meals will also help you avoid feeling overly hungry as you approach your next meal. Not allowing yourself to get overly hungry will aid you in making smart meal choices and you’ll be less likely to overeat at each meal. Below you will find a few healthy snack ideas that are easy to enjoy on the go.

Almonds and Walnuts – Both of these types of nuts contain healthy fats, are high in fiber and contain heart healthy vitamins.  A small handful goes a long way in keeping you’re hunger at bay; be sure to portion your serving before you start snacking, as the calories can add up. Buy raw nuts, as the salted variety can cause you to consume too much sodium per day.

Fresh Fruit and Veggies – Snacking on fruits and veggies is a great way to ensure you get your recommended daily servings and most are low in calories. Clean, cut, portion and baggie fruits and veggies that are too big to consume at once right after you purchase. This allows you to grab and go when in a rush and avoid settling for high calorie packaged foods.

Hummus – Replace traditional cheese or sour cream based dips and spreads with hummus as it is high in fiber and protein. Hummus comes in a variety of flavors and is great with an array of breads to incorporate into a meal, but as a mid meal snack, stick to eating with veggies to keep the calorie intake lower. Adding hummus to veggie snacks will keep you fuller longer because of the added fiber and protein. Sliced bell peppers, cucumbers and carrots all go great with hummus.

Green Tea – Although green tea isn’t really a food, it is a great source of antioxidants and has been proven to aid in the fat burning process. As green tea contains no calories on its own, it is a great drink to consume when you start feeling hungry, as often filling your stomach up with something warm can help satisfy your hunger until your next meal or snack time.