Watch your portion sizes with these healthy snack ideas, especially if you have a certain caloric allotment for the day. When you exceed your caloric needs, it doesn’t matter where the calories
come from it will lead to weight gain.
Trick: you can portion out a serving into a snack size ziploc, to make sure you don’t exceed your daily calories. Have an ounce of protein with each snack to keep your blood sugar in check.
- Vegetable sticks such as celery, carrots, cucumbers, jicama,
or sugar snap peas (Yum!). Add an ounce of protein such as low fat mozzarella cheese stick. - Pretzels, brown rice, cakes, baked chips, baked whole wheat crackers, like reduced fat Wheat Thins or Triscuits.
- Dried fruits such as figs, prunes, dates, apricots, raisins can make an excellent snack.
They are a good source of fiber and contain iron. - Don’t forget whole fruit is also an excellent nutritious snack.
Pair it with a serving of protein such as 1 Tbs. Peanut Butter or 1 oz of low fat cheese
or you can have 1/4 cup of dried nuts. - Unsalted dry roasted nuts, seeds, or soy nuts.
Note: If you are concerned about weight gain, do not exceed 1/4 cup in one day.
- Granola bars and protein bars. Kashi makes some delicious granola bars.
My favorite is the Honey Almond Flax. They contain 7 gm of protein and they are real low in fat.
You can find protein bars at most of the local grocery stores or you can buy them at a vitamin shop.They can replace the shakes for those of you that rely on these, pre- and post- workout.
Be sure to read the labels and choose bars that are low in sugar.
Remember choose 2 snacks per day between your main meals to keep your metabolism revved up, but be sure you are staying within your caloric allotment for those of you trying to lose weight.
Happy snacking!