{"id":2457,"date":"2019-01-04T05:33:06","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T05:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2021-07-21T18:52:26","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T18:52:26","slug":"20-healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss-curbing-cravings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/20-healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss-curbing-cravings\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss & Curbing Cravings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You need to eat more if you want to lose weight and curb your cravings for junk food. It might seem counterintuitive, but a lot of dietitians, nutritionists, and bodybuilders will tell you that you\u2019ve got to eat a lot more of the right stuff if you want to lose weight, stick to your diet, and keep those pounds off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You shouldn\u2019t sacrifice snacks because you\u2019re trying to cut calories. If you want to lose weight, you\u2019ve got to eat snacks. The caveat is that they\u2019ve got to be healthy snacks. Healthy snacks ensure you won\u2019t be starving all the time (and tempted by that vending machine at the office).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy, low-calorie snacks will keep you energized, stable, and steady throughout the day. You won\u2019t dip down into a depression and reach for that soda or Hershey\u2019s chocolate bar. If you can just maintain a steady supply of healthy snacks, you\u2019ll be able to hold out until mealtimes (where you\u2019re hopefully eating balanced, nutritious, healthy, and wholesome meals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Yogurt w\/ Added Berries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yogurt <\/a>with added berries is one of the tastiest and easiest to prepare healthy snacks out there. It\u2019s as simple as buying small packs of yogurt at the health food store and containers of fresh, organic berries. Just sprinkle a handful of berries on your yogurt after you peel off the plastic lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t buy flavored or sugary yogurt. Make it sweet on your own with the addition of berries. The last thing you want to be doing is eating a lot of sugary yogurts all the time. That\u2019s almost as bad as ice cream or frozen yogurt. Yogurt is a very nutrient-dense snack, and it is a great source of calcium, potassium, and protein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berries are rich in antioxidants, and the yogurt is packed with protein. Greek yogurt is the best. It\u2019s very rewarding to come home at the end of a long day and open up a yogurt, sprinkle some berries on it, and sit back and relax. It\u2019s a lot healthier than ice cream with chocolate syrup on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Various dried fruits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dried fruits<\/a> can be bought in almost any and every single variety you can think of, and they\u2019re healthy for you \u2013 in fact, they\u2019re much healthier for you than comparative bite-sized snacks that contain mostly chocolate, sugar and then some more sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a periodic sugar craving throughout the day that you would still like to satisfy despite the fact that you\u2019re on a diet, dried fruits are the perfect alternative to your usual candy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find them in almost every form \u2013 from dried cranberries to dried bananas; these are all great for eating just as they are, or you can include them in recipes like salads, smoothies, cakes; and they\u2019re still as healthy! You can also make your own dried fruit, usually with some baking a very low temperature over a long period of time \u2013 and most fruits are naturally sweet, so you can skip the sugary covering that you find in many store-bought dried fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Celery sticks and peanut butter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When most people think of a diet, they think of celery sticks<\/a> \u2013 and most people are of the opinion that celery sticks are absolutely awful and only have a place being fed to goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But those people would be wrong! The root of the problem most people experience with eating celery is the fact that they try to eat it just as it is \u2013 raw, with nothing else on or with it. Of course, that\u2019s going to be close to awful! Spice it up a little:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with dipping your celery stick into peanut butter (better than you would think) or keeping some salad dressing or cheese spread nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, you can\u2019t gorge yourself on celery sticks, and you\u2019ll be full long before you\u2019ve consumed enough of it to affect your diet \u2013 which makes it a great overall snack for ditching cravings. So forget about the idea that celery is just for goats!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Fruit salad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fruit salad<\/a> is an extremely broad term, which is great for you: That means you can be as versatile as you want. You can include only the fruits you like and skip the ones you hate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can pour some fruit juice over your fruit salad when you\u2019re done \u2013 some people prefer it like that \u2013 or you can leave it out if that\u2019s your preference. The best fruit salads are prepared freshly, with the freshest ingredients you can find. Usually, it\u2019s best to purchase foods at the nearest farmers market, usually early in the morning \u2013 if you can\u2019t, your local grocery store should do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most fruits (with the exception of thick-skinned ones, like bananas) fruits should always be washed before cutting them up. When selecting fruit at the store, pick ones that are bright and firm rather than softer and obviously old. It\u2019s one of the healthier options out there, and it makes a great breakfast and snack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fruit juice ice creams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Who doesn\u2019t love ice cream on a hot day? But many people think of ice cream<\/a> as a soft-serve sundae with chocolate sprinkles and drowning in chocolate syrup \u2013 which means that they toss the idea of ice cream out of the door entirely when they go on a diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no need to do that at all! If you still prefer soft-serve based ice creams, you\u2019ll be glad to know that soft serve itself contains little calories (and is made from soy, so generally fine for those with a lactose intolerance) \u2013 and there\u2019s no reason you can go easy on the sugary syrups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also use a couple of moderate scoops to top your fruit salad off. Alternatively, you can consider switching to fruit juice-based ice creams instead, of which there are many. Or if you can\u2019t find something that perfectly suits your needs, then maybe you should just make your own. The great thing about it? It\u2019s as healthy as eating some fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Potato chips \u2013 the right kind!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ooh, potato chips<\/a>… They\u2019re another food that people are used to associating with unhealthy diets and take-out food \u2013 or maybe just grabbing a bag of potato chips and passing out in front of the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, forget everything that you think you know about the potato chip. The great news about them is that they can be a healthy option too. You don\u2019t have to cut this snack out of your diet entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You just have to approach it a little differently once you\u2019ve switched to healthy eating. Instead of fried in oil, you could simply switch to baking potato chips in the oven; there are many potato chip brands available on the market that are a healthier option \u2013 just make sure you read the label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potatoes are also great in every other form, from mashed potatoes to served as a soup. Yes, it can still be a healthy option \u2013 you just have to approach it a little differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Crackers with all sorts of toppings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Crackers <\/a>are an ever-popular snack for people on the move \u2013 and they also happen to work great for functions and entertaining a bunch of people for a party. First, there are literally thousands of different types of crackers available to suit your individual dietary needs if we bend the definition of cracker a bit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are wheat crackers, there are rice crackers, there are crackerbreads, there are rye crackers and whole wheat crackers… You get the general idea. Pick the cracker that is both good for you (again, read the label!) and that you enjoy eating. Crackers can be topped with pretty much anything you have on hand \u2013 be as creative as you feel like being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The important part for weight loss is to ensure you are eating responsible toppings \u2013 with crackers as a snack, that\u2019s usually where the most calories are hiding away. Stay conscious of your toppings and the good news is crackers aren\u2019t an unhealthy snacking option at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. A savory salad dressed down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like fruit salad<\/a>, savory salads have just as much versatility \u2013 especially if you\u2019re watching your diet. Many people discount the idea of a decadent salad because they consider it to be far too unhealthy \u2013 but, once again, this option lies in the small changes you make to the original dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As some practical examples, you can easily remove the cheese from a traditional Greek salad and replace the salad dressing with a healthier one \u2013 for salads, you should watch your toppings and salad dressings, as they\u2019re most often where the calories are hiding in your dish. You can also add some meat to your salad if you so choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for healthy options, such as lean beef and lean chicken with the skin removed. Instead of using your salad dressing to dress your salad up, why not make it a healthier snack by dressing it down a little bit instead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Egg white omelet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eggs <\/a>are known for being the staple of muscle-freaks, weight-lifters and bodybuilders \u2013 how many people have heard that you should add raw eggs to your protein shakes for maximum muscle gain? But what if muscle gain isn\u2019t your goal at all and you\u2019re just looking to shake off some unnecessary weight? In that case, you can just adapt the dishes you love a little and turn them into something healthier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For starters, separate the egg and make an egg-white omelet instead \u2013 calories are most prevalent in the yolk of the egg, by the way. You can fill your omelet with a variety of fillings as decadent or simple as you like \u2013 many people go with some simple tomatoes and cheese, while other people prefer to go with chicken (remember, always lean and with the skins removed!), beef, pork or fish. Omelets are luckily as adaptable as you need them to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Trail mix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hikers are already familiar with trail mix, some people might have heard of it already, though a huge chunk of readers might be wondering just what on earth trail mix is in the first place. It\u2019s usually a collection of nuts <\/a>and dried fruits \u2013 sometimes berries, sometimes several types at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s called trail mix because it\u2019s great for eating as a snack on a hiking trail. There\u2019s science behind this, too: It\u2019s a great boost of energy, useful for when you\u2019re hiking and need to take a break before you forge on with the rest of the path. It\u2019s as useful for getting through everyday life as it is for hikers, though, and you might like keeping some trail mix nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a super-healthy option, make your own trail mix at home and keep only as much as you need for one day in your carry-container \u2013 that way there\u2019s no chance for you to overeat even if you wanted to, and you know that it\u2019s all healthy stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Fruit-infused water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hunger isn\u2019t the only feeling that plagues people throughout the day as they go about their daily lives. There\u2019s also thirst: It\u2019s completely human to feel thirsty, and here is where people also tend to go for an unhealthy option when they really shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can blame this on individual preference, you can blame this on the way they grew up or you can blame this on large scale marketing that tells you soda <\/a>is really good for you instead. No matter who you blame, it is what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can replace soda with healthy alternatives throughout the day \u2013 and you\u2019ll feel better, too, as the sugar found in soda dehydrates instead of the opposite so that you will consume more! Consider fruit juice as an alternative, or even fruit-infused water \u2013 water infused with cucumber is also extremely refreshing on a hot day, and still healthier than the traditional can of sugary soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Oats with blueberries and honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people, especially those who just find themselves suddenly switching to a new, strict diet plan, will find the urge to eat during the day: Sometimes this is down to developing the excellent habit of eating in the morning (\u201cBreakfast is the most important meal\u201d and all that…), and sometimes this is just down to their own individual physiological make-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might want to avoid the oil-and-butter laden traditional breakfast of bacon<\/a>, eggs, bread, sausages and whatever else you would normally throw on your plate and instead trade this for a healthier option: In this case, we can recommend oats with blueberries (either dried or fresh) and honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oats don\u2019t need to be cooked and take up an hour of your time in the morning anymore: Many instant cooking oats are available that go much quicker, some even work great in the microwave. We\u2019d recommend finding the best quality honey you can afford \u2013 for health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Muesli<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muesli <\/a>happens to go great with a lot of things, and it also ensures that you get your regular fiber intake which helps to keep your digestive system going \u2013 if you\u2019re not getting everything you need, your body will feel sluggish and slow and bloated as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can go for store-bought muesli if you want, but keep in mind that many store-bought muesli brands are unhealthy and sugar-laden right off the shelf \u2013 read the label and pick the healthiest option of the lot, or just go and make your own instead. Most muesli mixes contain muesli and oats, some contain seeds and most contain some form of dried fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can eat it with fruit salad and yogurt, some people prefer eating their muesli with milk \u2013 you can even blend muesli into your daily fruit smoothie for health. Muesli is great for keeping healthy, and it\u2019s another great breakfast alternative to the overly fatty breakfast most people are used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Health-conscious snack bars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The body periodically feels the urge to snack because this is necessary for your health: Hunger and thirst are normal human emotions, and as you go through the day you\u2019re bound to feel the need to consume something just because that\u2019s the way it works \u2013 you burn energy, you need energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no need to feel bad when you have the urge to snack on something! For those who have made a choice to watch their weight and their health more closely, there\u2019s something special to be found in the health food aisle: Many snack bars are healthy and will give you the essential boost you need to get your body through the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also generally make your own by combining the fruits, seeds and grains of your choice and holding them together with honey or peanut butter (sometimes an egg in the case of the last-mentioned) baked in the oven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Real fruit gummies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Candy, candy, candy… For people who want to lose weight, this is generally considered to be their downfall. Most people cheat at least once or twice on their diet \u2013 though a lot of people make themselves feel like they\u2019re cheating on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because candy is generally just considered to be bad for you: Our diet experts tell us that it\u2019ll make us fat, while our dentists blame all the candy for the cavities we get in our teeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are healthy alternatives available on the shelf if you stop by to take a look. Some gummies \u2013 fruit gummies \u2013 contain very little sugar and are made from real fruit. (Yes, some even contain some extra vitamins to give your body a boost).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are great for keeping in your daily snack-kit if you really feel like you need some candy to satisfy your craving for something sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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16. Marshmallows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Okay, so let\u2019s talk about candy some more. When you think about candy, you think of sweet things like chocolate<\/a>, and the moment you think of the sugar content of your favorite candy, you might consider your diet out the window already. But it\u2019s really not that bad. There are health-conscious options available for everyone, and sometimes an option that seems unhealthy is actually far healthier than you thought it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take marshmallows as an example: They\u2019re basically just made from corn syrup, and don\u2019t contain nearly as much sugar as the average candy bar or soft drink \u2013 so if you find that you really have to snack, have some marshmallows straight out of the bag, or stick them on your favorite cracker and make some S\u2019Mores \u2013 as long as you don\u2019t over-indulge, it can still be healthy too! You can even make small portions of marshmallow pudding \u2013 look up the recipe \u2013 if you\u2019re feeling really decadent, though remember the keyword being small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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17. Sweet potato fries in the oven<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To most people in the world, fries are traditionally made from potatoes. Call them what you like, that doesn\u2019t really matter \u2013 sometimes they\u2019re French, but in France they\u2019re American fries… At this point, you might want to avoid the fries that come with the burger at your favorite take-out \u2013 but there are healthier options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also make fries from many things that aren\u2019t potatoes <\/a>\u2013 including carrots and sweet potatoes \u2013 and it\u2019s as easy as following the process you would to make fries from potatoes. Stick them in the oven for something healthier than frying them, and be conscious of the dressings you eat with your fries or the meals you put next to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Again, most of the calories here will be hiding in the oil you prepared it with, or in the dressings or sauces you pair with it!) The same method works with many vegetables, and you can make fries from nearly anything you can think of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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18. Spiced fruits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already had fruit on this list in several forms, including in a salad and as a dried snack \u2013 then mixed in with snacks like mueslis or yogurts. But did you know that you can also choose to eat spiced fruits? Most people have never heard of this before, but it\u2019s an especially popular snack found in places like India and Durban \u2013 many other parts of the world, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All it takes is some sliced fruit and some spice \u2013 and there are many variations on the spice and the fruit. For some, it\u2019s apple slices with some salt, for others it\u2019s pineapple rings with some chili powder<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiced fruits are a great, healthy and fresh snack that most people don\u2019t even realize are a thing! Add spiced fruits to your diet if you\u2019re on the move a lot and need a bit of a sugar and health boost all at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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19. Broccoli and kale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Okay, now most people claim that they don\u2019t like broccoli <\/a>\u2013 and most parents say that they can\u2019t get their children to eat theirs. So just what\u2019s the problem? We\u2019d guess that most people never learned to eat it as a child and therefore have no idea what to do it as an adult \u2013 those same people never teach their next of kin what to do with it, or cook it improperly and force their kids into it, and this leads to a lifelong hate of something you could have learned to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broccoli should ideally be steamed, and never steamed or boiled until it becomes soft \u2013 then, you\u2019ve lost literally all of the flavour. Broccoli can be eaten raw with some cheese or (healthy!) dressing, or you can combine it with other vegetables for a salad, soup or even pizza base if put through a food processor with something to hold it together, usually egg or cream cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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20. Smoothies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, let\u2019s talk about smoothies as a healthy snack. Don\u2019t forget how much you can do with some simple fruits and some dairy<\/a>. They\u2019re versatile enough to become a meal on their own \u2013 and also versatile enough that you can do literally anything with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throw in the vegetables and fruits that you like, add some protein powder or don\u2019t; what you do with your smoothie (or don\u2019t do with your smoothie) is entirely your deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, there\u2019s some kind of liquid base that goes into your food processor first \u2013 fruit juice, water, milk, ice cream, coconut water. Then, add your solids \u2013 chopped \u2013 and blitz. Eventually you\u2019ll find yourself inspired to experiment and find combinations you prefer \u2013 there is almost no bad combination when you\u2019re making a smoothie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(You should take note of herbs that can make things bitter, and remember that banana is one of the things that instantly thicken up a smoothie \u2013 so take care when adding it!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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