When you're trying to drop the pounds, a snack doesn't have to consist of one cracker and then starving yourself until your next meal. In fact, snacking on the right foods will keep your metabolism going so that you burn more calories, even when you're sitting! Following a few general snacking rules can help keep you on track.
- Stick to a 100-200 calorie snack
- The best time to snack is three hours after breakfast and another three hours after lunch
- Mix it up – go for foods containing fiber, protein and nutrients
- Go with small portions
When you open up your kitchen cabinets or your fridge, however, it's not always easy to find a snack that pleases your palate that is also healthy. Snacking doesn't have to be boring. Here are a few snacks to keep you full in between meals and help you stay on track to losing weight:
Sliced tomatoes
Now that summertime is almost here, tomatoes are about to be at their peak of flavor. There's nothing better than a fresh tomato on a summer day. Slice one up and top it with a bit of olive oil and feta cheese for a quick snack that won't leave you overly full.
Popcorn
Next time you hit the couch and are craving a snack, make yourself a bowl of popcorn sans butter and tons of salt. You can eat four whole cups of the stuff and get healthy grains, fiber and even a little protein.
Melon
Pick up a few cantaloupes at the supermarket and when you get hungry, grab a spoon and dig in. This super sweet fruit isn't only delicious, it contains beta-carotene and lots of water to keep you hydrated (and full).
Cinnamon dippers
Brush corn tortillas cut into wedges with 1 tablespoon melted low-fat butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and you have crispy chips to dip into cool nonfat vanilla yogurt that will completely transform snack time.
Strawberries and cool whip
If you have quite the sweet tooth, satisfy your craving without overindulging with some strawberries and 3 tablespoons of nonfat cool whip. You'll be getting antioxidants while still filling up on sweetness.
Protein shake
As you're running out the door, whip up a chocolate or vanilla meal replacement shake to keep you full. Add in a few scoops of Naturade Total Soy protein powder and enjoy a cool snack filled with protein, fiber and amazing taste.
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For weight loss, the two big factors are exercise and control on eating habit. Once you get this powerful combination, then your target of weight loss becomes very simple.