Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss
Eating the right healthy snacks for weight loss will keep you aligned with your dieting goals – helping you to lose weight and get healthy at the same time.
If you are serious about losing weight you need to stock up on plenty of healthy snacks. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they won’t be eating snacks when they are dieting.
If you get hungry during the day and don’t have healthy snacks around, you are most likely going to reach for something that is fattening and unhealthy.
Planning ahead is one of the most important parts of successful weight loss and this plan should also include snacks that you can eat during the day.
Low calorie snacks are the most popular type of snacks that people consider for weight loss. Although some low calorie snacks such as vegetables and fruits are an excellent choice, many others leave you feeling unfulfilled and still hungry.
One healthy alternative is high fiber snacks. Fiber rich snacks are highly recommended by nutritionists because they not only leave you feeling full, but they also keep your system cleaned out and functioning properly.
There are so many delicious high fiber snacks that are easy to make and can improve your overall health. These should be part of your arsenal of weight loss snacks.
Another factor that should be considered is that you need a variety of different types of healthy snacks. You need some sweet snacks, some salty snacks and some crunchy snacks. If you have all of the cravings covered you won’t be tempted to eat something that you shouldn’t.
One of the best healthy snacks for weight loss is vegetables and bean dip – high in fiber and nutrients – low in calories.
Take the time to cut up enough vegetables for the week – cucumbers, celery, green and red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and any other fresh vegetables that you like.
I have found that if I have to wash and cut up vegetables each time I want a snack that I won’t go through the trouble of doing it. This is why it is a good idea to prepare them ahead of time. Below is an easy bean dip recipe that you can also make ahead of time.
Quick And Healthy Bean Dip Recipe
1 can of beans, drained (chic peas, black beans, navy beans, etc)
½ cup of salsa
Chopped jalapenos (optional)
Place all ingredients in a blender – blend until smooth. Serve with vegetables or baked tortilla chips.
NOTE: Mini blenders are perfect for making this recipe – they are fantastic for making dips, smoothies, salsa and many other healthy snacks.
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Another high fiber – low calorie snack is popcorn. Don’t buy the microwave bags of popcorn – there is a better and healthier way to cook it.
Healthy Popcorn Recipe
½ cup popcorn
1 brown paper lunch bag
Place popcorn in the bag and press the popcorn button on your microwave. Listen carefully – you may need to add another 10 or 20 seconds if it is still popping.
Top with sea salt, red pepper powder, cinnamon or any other spice that you like.
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Here is another one of my favorite healthy snacks for weight loss – also very high in fiber and low in calories.
Roasted Chic Pea Recipe
2 cans of garbanzo beans (chic peas)
Sea salt
Garlic powder (optional)
Ground cayenne pepper (optional)
Drain the chic peas and blot dry with a paper towel. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until brown and crunchy. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and cayenne pepper if desired.
You can use this same recipe to cook any other type of bean.
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For those times when you have a sweet tooth, these high fiber cookies are fantastic. They are so filling that you could eat them as a meal replacement for breakfast or lunch.
High Fiber Diet Cookie Recipe
4 cups of oatmeal (not instant or quick cook)
1 can of cannelloni beans (15 oz), drained
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped raisins or dates
½ cup flaked coconut
½ cup chopped walnuts
Place the oatmeal in a blender and blend until the consistency of flour. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
Place the beans in the blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
Combine the ground oats, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon – blend with the beans.
Stir in the dates or raisins, coconut and walnuts. Drop heaping spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.
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The best healthy snacks for weight loss are whole natural foods – processed foods are full of chemicals that can slow down your metabolism.
Fruit – The Ultimate Healthy Snack For Weight Loss
Make sure you stock up on lots of fresh fruit. Grab an apple, orange, banana or pear when you are feeling hungry. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to an apple and you have a feast.
Wash and dry a bunch of seedless grapes. Place them in the freezer. They are a delicious and healthy frozen treat. Grab a handful when you want a sweet snack.
Try some Healthy Green Smoothie Recipes – they contain both fruits and vegetables – a delicious healthy snack that promotes weight loss.
Make sure your home and office are well stocked with healthy snacks for weight loss. Throw out all of those unhealthy treats and replace them with fruits, vegetables, beans and other whole and natural snacks to help you on your weight loss journey.
