We all love to snack. This is contrast to our desire to lose weight. According to studies, although we may fell that snacking can help in our efforts to lose weight, we are actually increasing calorie intake with fewer calories. This should not be the case. In order for us to enjoy snacks in between meals, all we need to do is engage in a healthier lifestyle. Knowledge of healthy food items to snack on will also help people with excess weight lose them naturally and effectively.
Here are some snack items that will rev up your metabolism. Additional ideas included in this article should also be integrated into our lifestyle so we can achieve our weight loss dreams sooner than later.
What food items actually burn fat?
The perfect healthy snack should feature the right amount of calories and the right concentration of nutrients. The right balance between these two elements will ensure that the body is supplied with adequate energy while it loses the unwanted fats too.
Food items that are high in protein are excellent snacks because they inspire the growth of lean muscles. Stimulating the lean muscles results in increased metabolic rate and enhanced calorie-burning capacity of the body.
Fiber is yet another excellent snack option as food items that contain this nutrient help in speeding up digestion. It also satiates hunger so you don’t have to binge on sugars and unhealthy fats.
The perfect combination of food items containing both protein and fibers will help the body works at its peak without the risk of crashing.
As snacks should be in small portions only, it is best to keep intake under 200 calories; of which 10 grams should come from protein and 5 grams from fiber.
- Apples
Apples are convenient and healthy snack options. You can grab one before heading out the door for work or school. This fruit is loaded with fiber and good carbs, which means you don’t have to worry about sugar highs and crashes. Unlike traditional sweet snacks, apples contain low calories. Therefore even if you eat two apples in one sitting, you don’t have to be scared of excessive weight gain. What a lot of people don’t known is that apple contains Vitamin C which assists in enhancing immune system functioning.
- Cottage Chees and Avocado
Snacks are usually treated as desserts, therefore a lot of people crave creaming and sweet combinations in between meals. Instead of cakes and ice creams, why not try the fruity and creamy combination brought to you by avocado and cottage cheese. Avocado is an excellent source of healthy fats and is low in calories too. Cottage cheese on the other hand contains protein and calcium. This flavorful combination has a total of 200 calories only!
- Almonds
Almonds are nature’s healthiest fast food. You can take it anywhere you go and have your hunger satiated in between major meals of the day. Apart from satisfying hunger during midday, regular intake of almonds also promotes heart health. This particular type of nut is loaded with monounsaturated fats that prevent the development of debilitating cardiovascular diseases. Raw almonds do not contain sodium, a mineral that is most commonly associated with high blood pressure.
- Canned Tuna and Whole-Wheat Cracker
If you are lactose intolerant or simply do not like the taste of dairy, you can have canned tuna in water instead. Tuna is not only an excellent source of protein, it contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids too. Pair your tuna with whole-wheat crackers for a satisfying afternoon snack. Three pieces of wheat crackers topped with tuna are at 200 calories.
- Broccoli
Broccoli is a diet staple among many people. Health experts incorporate the intake of celery for weight loss as it features the right minerals and caloric value that induces shedding of unwanted fats. There are many ways to prepare broccoli. You can have them raw, blanches, or steamed, and it would still taste good. This green veggie is loaded with minerals and vitamins, including Vitamins A, D, and K. All of the nutrients found in broccoli facilitate the detoxification of toxins and the eradication of free radicals resulting in tissue damage and premature aging.
Broccoli is teeming with fibers that aid digestion and speed up metabolic rate. As fibers fill you up quickly, you will feel satisfied after eating a few pieces of them.
- Sunflower Lentil Spread + Pita Bread
If you’re up for a filling but nutritious snack, you should try out this snack. Lentils are high in iron- a nutrient popular for its ability to increase metabolic rate by 20%. A piece of pita bread heaps of lentil spread runs at 180 calories mostly made up of fiber and protein.
- Low-Fat Yogurt
Low-fat yogurt is low on calories and high in probiotics. In essence, probiotics are good bacteria that nourish the digestive tract. It also contains high levels of protein that rev up metabolism. For people who are trying to lose weight, low-fat yogurt is better than its full-fat counterpart.
