For those who don’t like counting calories or trying to get rid of extra fats in their bodies, eating healthy snacks during the day is a necessity. Managing hunger during the day is a very easy task as there are many healthy snacks to choose from.
Most of these are available in local groceries. All you have to do is store them at home and consume them whenever you want to.
If you’re trying to add more healthy snacks to your diet, it can be difficult to narrow down the wide variety of choices. To help you out, here’s a list of some of the most common snacks. Along with brief descriptions of what they have to offer:
1. Protein Bars
Protein bars can be a godsend for people who are always on the go. Aside from being a great source of protein, consuming these snacks is also a great way to add carbs, vitamins, and minerals to your diet. These healthy snacks can also fuel a workout and support muscle repair after exercise, which is perfect for individuals who are always working out.
Protein bars are very common today and are available in different flavors—you can now buy peanut butter, carrot cake, and even chocolate protein bars.
2. Nuts
It might be hard to believe, but nuts are actually one of the best and healthiest snacks on the planet. Some great examples include walnuts, pecans, and almonds, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids that are vital for healthy cell membranes, and which have been proven to decrease cholesterol levels.
Nuts are also a great source of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. If you want to lose weight, you should definitely add nuts to your diet. Because these are high in calories, but the human body won’t be able to absorb all of these. On the contrary, most of the calories in nuts remain in their fibrous walls even during digestion.
3. Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich
Another great example of a healthy snack is the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This snack has gained some popularity over the years because it can provide plenty of protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals that will help you feel full for longer periods of time.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is considered as a power-packed snack because it can help you build muscles and boost your energy. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are also inexpensive and easy to prepare.
4. Popcorn
Popcorn is a great snack to have at home or when traveling because it doesn’t contain high levels of carbohydrates. In fact, many studies have supported claims on how popcorn is a healthy and low-calorie snack.
Popcorn is actually good for you because it can help you lose weight, keep your blood sugar in check, and is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, copper, magnesium, and zinc. Popcorn can also improve your eye health because it contains lutein and beta-carotene.
5. Protein Shake
A lot of people may not consider a protein shake as a snack on its own. But this will ultimately provide you with energy for the rest of your day.
Protein shakes are great when combined with fruits and veggies to help you get enough nutrition without feeling hungry. This is especially true for people who are trying to lose weight and are trying to eat healthier foods.
Aside from being very easy to prepare, protein shakes can also boost your metabolism, help you lose body fat without losing muscle, and suppress your appetite. Moreover, protein shakes can also lower your blood pressure and reduce inflammation in the body.
You can enjoy protein shakes in many different ways. If you’re too busy during the day, you can buy protein powders and, then, prepare one with your blender. You can also make protein shakes from scratch by blending together almond milk and frozen fruits.
6. Oatmeal
Another healthy snack that you should add to your diet is oatmeal. It is extremely high in fiber, as well as very filling and satisfying.
You can prepare your oatmeal with hot water, or mix it with milk and freeze the concoction overnight. You can even prepare different kinds of oatmeal cookies using very minimal ingredients.
Oatmeal also has high nutritional value, and is high in protein and calcium. It also keeps your body in good condition as it can improve your blood sugar levels. As well as lower your cholesterol levels.
7. Yogurt
Another healthy snack is yogurt. You can add yogurt to oatmeal for a perfect combination. This healthy snack is a great alternative to eating breakfast or a meal, or even as an after-dinner treat. You can find plenty of delicious choices of yogurt in the market today as this snack comes in many different flavors.
If you have the time and interest for it, you can even make your yogurt at home and mix it with your favorite frozen fruits.
8. Apple
One of the most nutritious fruits is apple. This fruit will not only help your digestive system work more efficiently, but will also help keep your cholesterol at a healthier level. This is because apples contain all kinds of fiber, which can help your digestive system to function more efficiently.
Another benefit is that the fruit has a very low glycemic index, which means that it doesn’t cause any spikes in blood sugar levels. Apples are usually available all-year long, making it easy for you to buy and enjoy all of their health benefits.
Talk To Your Doctor
With the number of healthy snacks available today, managing hunger during the day will become an easy task. However, if you want to ensure that you’re only eating snacks suitable to your health needs, make sure to consult your doctor before making drastic changes to your diet.
The snacks mentioned in this article are, indeed healthy. But changing your diet abruptly can possibly lead to side effects and health hazards.