There is no reason to feel guilty about having a mid-afternoon snack session. Actually, you should be able to snack guilt-free no matter what day it is. Provided you are snacking on the right foods, snacking is a great way to keep you energized between your three primary meals.
There are unhealthy snacks and there are healthy snacks. We are certain that you are familiar with the unhealthy snacks, almost all of which contain some combination of hydrogenated oils, sugars, processed ingredients, and an array of chemicals and dyes. Most Americans have been conditioned to eat those unhealthy snacks for fuel, but they do not actually provide any nutrition. In fact, they perpetuate cravings instead of curbing them, which is not the point of snacking. Snacking should satiate you, give you energy, and keep you from eating excess calories.
Snacking healthily does not have to be complicated. Check out the following snack ideas, all of which are under 150 calories.
Frozen Grapes
Grapes are actually great sources of potassium, vitamin K, and fiber. They also contain polyphenols that have been known to slow the growth of tumors in lymph, breast tissue, the colon, and the liver. For a healthy snack, eat one cup of frozen grapes. It’s like eating a dessert and a snack at the same time.
Carrot Sticks With Hummus
Get your vitamin A intake up with this healthy snack! Regularly consuming carrots has been linked to better eye health and lower cholesterol levels. Eat 10 baby carrots with two tablespoons of hummus to fuel you between meals.
Spinach Strawberry Salad
The great thing about spinach is that it is extremely low in calories. It is also a great source of magnesium, chlorophyll, iron, and vitamin K. The vitamin C content in strawberries is beneficial for a healthy immune system. Mix one cup of spinach with a half-cup of sliced strawberries. Drizzle one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over it and you’re good to go.
Jicama Sticks
Jicama is made up of almost 90% water and it is naturally low in calories. Consuming jicama can be beneficial for the immune system because of its high magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C content. Toss 1.5 cups of raw jicama cubes in a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of chili powder for a snack that packs a little heat.
Celery Sticks And Almond Butter
Because peanut butter is hard on the digestive system, we are using almond butter in this classic snack. Celery is rich in water and very low in calories, while almond butter is rich in healthy fats and protein. Get two tablespoons of raw almond butter and evenly disperse it over five or six celery sticks.
