For many people following a weight loss plan, snacking can be a
real problem. They can get their head around eating three square meals
and day and get their fruit and veg intake up, but later they find
themselves sitting in front of the TV with a bag of chips, just
mindlessly eating away until the bag is empty. Why is it that snacking
messes up so many diets? Well mostly it's down to a lack of preparation.
You can still have snacks if you are following a weight loss program -
in fact, it's a good idea to have them during the day as it keeps your
metabolism going. But they need to be healthy, and this is where
preparation comes in. If you can get your snacks ready at the start of
the week and have them sitting in your fridge or cupboard, you will be
less likely to reach for the junk that helped you put weight on in the
first place! Here are some ideas for smart, easy, healthy snacks that
you can have anytime.
Homemade trail mix. Making your own trail mix is better than the bags you buy at the store, because you know exactly what goes into it and you can tailor it to your own tastes. Simply take a freezer bag or zip-lock bag and fill with a combination of dried apricots, raisins, pumpkin seeds, granola, unsalted peanuts and cashews, dried chickpeas, sesame sticks - just skip the chocolate!
Apple slices with peanut butter. This is really simple and quick. Just cut an apple in eighths and spread each slice with peanut butter for a great tasting treat. The peanut butter will give you a protein boost too. You could also try this with celery sticks. If peanut butter isn't your thing, or you're allergic, then try cottage cheese instead. This works great spread on carrot sticks or slices of pepper.
Boiled eggs. Eggs are a great snack and they're so easy. Hard boil a couple at a time and they'll keep in the fridge for two days. You can then chop them into salads or sandwiches, or just peal and eat for a snack on the go.
Raisins. Little boxes of raisins are so small that they're easy to carry around in a bag or purse, but they also make a great, filling snack when you're on the move. If you don't want to eat them on their own you could add them to porridge oats or other breakfast cereals in the morning, or mix into a fruit salad. They're also great baked into pancakes.
Frozen yoghurt. If you want a sweet treat after dinner but don't want to compromise your weight loss goals then frozen yoghurt is your friend. It's just as filling and tasty as ice cream, without the extra calories.
Homemade trail mix. Making your own trail mix is better than the bags you buy at the store, because you know exactly what goes into it and you can tailor it to your own tastes. Simply take a freezer bag or zip-lock bag and fill with a combination of dried apricots, raisins, pumpkin seeds, granola, unsalted peanuts and cashews, dried chickpeas, sesame sticks - just skip the chocolate!
Apple slices with peanut butter. This is really simple and quick. Just cut an apple in eighths and spread each slice with peanut butter for a great tasting treat. The peanut butter will give you a protein boost too. You could also try this with celery sticks. If peanut butter isn't your thing, or you're allergic, then try cottage cheese instead. This works great spread on carrot sticks or slices of pepper.
Boiled eggs. Eggs are a great snack and they're so easy. Hard boil a couple at a time and they'll keep in the fridge for two days. You can then chop them into salads or sandwiches, or just peal and eat for a snack on the go.
Raisins. Little boxes of raisins are so small that they're easy to carry around in a bag or purse, but they also make a great, filling snack when you're on the move. If you don't want to eat them on their own you could add them to porridge oats or other breakfast cereals in the morning, or mix into a fruit salad. They're also great baked into pancakes.
Frozen yoghurt. If you want a sweet treat after dinner but don't want to compromise your weight loss goals then frozen yoghurt is your friend. It's just as filling and tasty as ice cream, without the extra calories.
Kevin Graham serves as the Managing Director at Empower Me Photo.
Empower Me Photo provides tools to help those seeking to stay on their
diet or exercise program over the long run - by showing how you are
going to look AFTER you lose the weight.
You will be amazed at how you are going to look - and your empowering photo can be in your hand as quickly as tomorrow. And you will be inspired, motivated, and yes, EMPOWERED, to stay on your program over the long run.
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You will be amazed at how you are going to look - and your empowering photo can be in your hand as quickly as tomorrow. And you will be inspired, motivated, and yes, EMPOWERED, to stay on your program over the long run.