Snacking is not only for kids. Many adults can benefit from choosing healthy snacks to help them maintain their weight loss or even help them maintain their diet. Healthy snacks provide needed energy for activity or help to sustain energy prior to eating a full meal.
Why Are Snacks Important For Your Health?
Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet. They supply nutrients and calories without excess fat, sodium or sugar. Choosing healthy snacks during the day can also prevent overeating, especially at mealtimes by regulating calorie intake between meals. Snacks provide a variety of nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Meals that have a low Glycemic Index (GI) help prevent the rise in blood sugar after eating.
According to Dr. Jennifer Greene, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Toronto, “Eggies can be used to substitute other foods in your diet that might be high in carbs but low in fiber. For example, instead of eating a plate of pasta with a piece of baked chicken, try a bowl of vegetables with chicken or salad. Even if you are not watching your blood sugar, you can still eat snacks to help you feel full between meals.” Another nutritionist, Dr. Maria De Los Rios, assistant professor at the University of Michigan says, “I often recommend cutting up pieces of crisp, raw bread, such as whole-wheat or diabetic friendly whole grain bread, and packing it into a lunch bag to bring along to work.”
Other healthy snacks include fruits and vegetables. “Avocado is a great source of protein and it’s a healthy snack option to bring with you when you are driving to work,” says Dr. Jennifer Greene, a nutritionist and family medicine specialist at the University of Toronto. “The rich fiber of the avocado allows you to fill up on fiber without increasing your calorie intake.” She also recommends eating a bowl of raw spinach with a little bit of hummus, tahini, and sliced tomatoes, for a tasty, healthful snack. ” pitted dates, apple, and apricot slices provide a rich source of both carbs and proteins.”
If you love eating bird food, then swapping your chocolate cake for a healthier alternative – a banana – will benefit you too. A banana is made from much less calories than most cakes and offers an all-natural sweetness that cannot be beat. The banana, because of its potassium and vitamins, helps to regulate your blood pressure while adding more potassium to your diet than any other food or drink.
Conclusion
These are only three healthy snacks to boost your diet. When it comes to snacks, try to keep them to no more than one per day and make sure they are made from foods that are healthy and low in fats. It is a good idea to have a protein shake before each meal as well. This way you are making sure that the fats you are consuming do not increase your blood sugar levels and cause you to get hungry all the time. You should also plan some healthy snacks in addition to your balanced diet so that you do not become bored with your meals and develop a taste for bad snacks.
