Healthy Snack Ideas

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up snacks.  It's just the opposite, in fact.  Snacks are a very important part of your diet because they keep you going in between meals.  "Small meals/snacks eaten about every 2 1/2 to 3 hours tend to translate into more stable blood sugars throughout the day," says Elaine Magee, MPH, RD and author of Web MD Weight Loss Clinic's "Recipe Doctor." She adds, "When you graze instead of gorge, you avoid extreme hunger and tend not to overeat at any one meal." 

However, many people fall into the tempting trap of consuming snacks that taste good but contain little more than empty calories, such as potato chips or candy.  The trick is to find snacks that are high in fiber, protein and/or dairy and low in saturated fat and refined sugars.

Try This:

1. Go for a fibrous crunch.  Popcorn is a good place to start.  High in fiber and low in calories, this filing snack is considered by many to be one of the healthiest foods available – that is, without the salt and butter.  Try it with a little grated parmesan and a sprinkle of ground time.  You can also throw back a handful of nuts.  Don’t be afraid of the fat; nuts contain the heart-healthy kind of fat and are not only loaded with fiber, but are also protein-rich. 
2. Throw together a fruity treat.  Simply dip some sliced apples and/or bananas in a reduced fat peanut butter for that perfect marriage of fruit and nuts.  If sweeter is what you’re looking for, toss some fresh berries or sliced bananas in a bowl and add a fat free whipped topping.  For a more decadent treat and a supercharged dose of antioxidants, skewer your fruit and dip it in melted dark chocolate. 
3. Don’t shy away from the sliced veggies.  Pair them with your favorite dip and you’ll feel like you’re eating more than just rabbit food. For something fun, try adding your favorite taco mix or seasoning packet to a reduced fat Greek yogurt. Your veggies won’t know what hit them! 
4. Get fancy with yogurt.  By adding a touch of honey, agave or fresh fruit to a plain, reduced fat yogurt, you’ll give yourself a dairy-infused, high protein sweet treat that tastes like dessert. 
5. Think drink.  A flavorful skim milk chai latte tastes like a fat-filled sweet treat, but fear not.  When made with nonfat milk, a 12 oz serving packs 6 grams of protein with only 150 calories, according to Starbucks standardized recipe calculations.

Want more healthy eating ideas and strategies, download How to Eat Healthy Without Noticing: A Non-Dieter's Guide to Eating Better on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or via your iBooks app.