What’s a healthy snack? You may ask, and the answer is not always easy to find. Many snacks are either unhealthy or have ingredients that you cannot pronounce. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for those looking for something delicious and nutritious! In this blog post, we will go over easy healthy snacks for your daily routine.
What you will learn
What are easy healthy snacks and why are they important?
In addition to the calorie content, it’s important to know that there are two types of healthy snacks:
- those that provide a lot of nutrients
- those with little-to-no calories
A snack should have at least one specific nutrient such as protein, fiber, or calcium; low in sugar (or artificial sweeteners); and between 100 calories and 150 calories.
Benefits of healthy snacking
The benefits of including a nutritious snack in your day are endless! They can help you maintain energy levels, regulate blood sugars throughout the day, keep yourself from feeling too hungry between meals, improve moods and concentration just to name a few. And while it may be tempting to reach for that candy bar when hunger hits again since it’s right there in front of you don’t do it! There are so many healthier options out there that not only taste delicious but will also give you those much-needed nutrients without all of the added junk.
How to include healthy snacks in your daily routine?
The best way to include healthy snacks into your daily routine is to plan ahead. Keep a stash of healthy snacks in your desk drawer, pantry, or even in your car when you know you’ll be away from home. Some great options include fresh fruit with peanut butter (try it on apple slices), roasted chickpeas and yogurt dip, whole wheat crackers, and hummus or veggie sticks with low-fat ranch dressing to name just a few!
When hunger strikes keep these tips in mind:
It’s best not to deprive yourself by limiting how many times per day that you eat so eating small meals more often can help regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day which leads to fewer fluctuations in moods as well as improved concentration levels.
Eating every two hours is important to keep metabolism high.
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Types of healthy snacks for your daily routine
The following are some great ideas for healthy snacks to incorporate into your daily life:
- Some healthy breakfast items like oatmeal with berries and honey or an egg-white sandwich on whole-wheat bread.
- A small protein shake made using skim milk, low-fat yogurt, vanilla extract, ice cubes, and one scoop of whey protein powder that is mixed in the blender. A piece of fruit can be added at the end if desired as well! Remember to read labels when buying yogurt – Greek yogurt has fewer calories than regular yogurts because it is strained so there’s more protein per serving. Check out our healthy smoothies blog for more!
- Canned salmon topped with fresh dill weed mayonnaise (low fat) on a slice of rye bread.
- Any type of fruit
- Cucumbers or carrots with hummus
- Cup of yogurt with granola
- Granola bar like made-good – here’s a link to them
- Organic apples or oranges with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter
- A handful of almonds as per day before bedtime along with
- Dark chocolate (smaller bites) for dessert. This is also great because the protein will keep you feeling fuller longer!
Tips on how to avoid unhealthy snacking habits
Here are some tips on how to avoid unhealthy days:
- Read labels and avoid foods that contain high levels of sugar, saturated fat, or sodium.
- Avoid drinking less than six cups of water per day.
- Drink more tea (black or green) instead of soda drinks such as cola with lots of added sugars. A lot more goes into a can than just carbonated water!
- Limit your intake to one piece at a time when it comes to chocolate bars because the average candy bar is about 250 calories which is equivalent to an hour on the treadmill. Quality over quantity here people!
- Keep unhealthy food out of your house! You are less likely to eat unhealthy if it’s not even there.
Eating healthy should be easy for everyone, but sometimes we’re tempted by unhealthy snacks like chips and cookies so making small changes in our daily lives will help keep us healthier.
Conclusion
The best way to add healthy snacks into your diet is by making them a habit. Think about which foods you may be craving most often and make sure they are always available for when cravings strike. That way, the next time you get an urge to snack on something unhealthy, instead of grabbing whatever’s at hand or ordering take-out, you can satisfy those cravings with a healthier option from home!
