healthy-snacks

 

Trying to take off a few pounds is tough. Snacks can help keep the hunger at bay, but they also contain calories and can derail even the most conscientious weight loss efforts. The good news is that nutrition professionals generally agree on one thing — snacking to lose weight can be a boon or bust depending on how it’s done. For a slimmer waistline, choose some of the following foods to nosh on between meals.

Apples and Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has about 200 calories per not-so-generous serving, but it’s also packed with filling protein. Dip slices of a fiber-rich apple in a tablespoon full and get a serving of fruit plus a dose of heart- and gut-healthy flavor in one quick snack.

Pistachios

Nuts were once off limits to dieters because of their high-calorie content, but their protein and beneficial fats are now known to help mitigate hunger. Almonds are a popular choice, but pistachios have half the calories for the same size serving and feel like a decadent indulgence.

Greek Yogurt and Strawberries

Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, but it also contains calcium, an essential mineral thought to increase fat metabolism and give dieters an edge. Avoid brands with excess sugar. For sweetness and a punch of Vitamin C, add a half-cup of sliced strawberries.

Whole Fruit

Whole fruit is the original convenience food. It needs little preparation and comes in enough varieties to keep snacking both exciting and filling. Full of fiber, micronutrients, and fluid, fruit like pears, oranges, grapes, melons, and bananas are a sweet treat no dieter has to sacrifice.

Olives

Olives are a healthy Mediterranean staple with enough salt to be a satisfying substitute for junk food like chips. A generous serving has only 150 calories and contains compounds that fight insulin resistance and weight gain.

Broth

A cup of warm, low-calorie broth on a cold day feels like a meal any time without the calories. Research shows that having it twenty minutes before lunch or dinner helps dieters eat less, and if it’s vegetable-based, it also offers valuable fiber and vitamins.

The wrong snacks can spell diet disaster, but these nutrition-packed choices are just what the doctor ordered for controlling hunger while trying to peel off those extra pounds.