Healthy Snacks? It's True, They do Exist!

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Contrary to what the fad diets and glamor magazines scream from their headlines, fat loss is not helped by fasting or embarking on plans that severely limit caloric intake. When your body takes in fewer calories than it requires, it goes into “starvation” mode. This means your metabolism slows down and tries to hold on to its fat stores for dear life. This doesn’t do your goals or your body any good! (Click here to see our blog post from Stephen Chaney, Ph.D. for more info on this topic.)

If you’re working with a trainer to develop a fat-loss program, chances are a balanced diet that includes three portion-controlled meals and two to three snacks has been recommended. Your trainer has probably also told you that you want to make sure those meals and snacks not only curb hunger, but also provide your body with the nutrition it needs to function properly and even assist in the fat-burning effort.

If you’re stumped for snacks and can’t figure out what can help you along the way, there are plenty of options out there. If your trainer also has you working on muscle-building to speed up the fat-burning process, you’ll want to keep foods that feed the muscle in mind as you select both meals and snacks.

Some of the healthier snacks that can help rather than hinder fat loss efforts include:

  • Fresh fruit. Apples, bananas, grapes, pears, blueberries and other fresh fruits are excellent snacks to pick up energy levels when they are dropping without adding a ton of calories to the mix. Fruits contain natural nutrients, fiber and even antioxidants in some cases. This makes them great to include not only on the snack menu, but also with meals.
  • Nuts. While nuts get a bad reputation because they contain fat, they also contain a lot of protein.  And most of the fat is healthy fat! If muscle-building is a part of your plan, low- or no-salt nuts can serve as an excellent snack time pick-me-up. Also consider low- or no-sugar added peanut butter.
  • Yogurt. Low-fat yogurt is one of the best snack time treats out there. It offers some sweetness, but fuels the body with nutrients and adds calcium to the daily mix.
  • Raw vegetables. Like fruits, raw vegetables can bring a lot of nutrients to the table. Plus, they are excellent for satisfying a craving to crunch something.  Most veggies are high in fiber which will make you feel fuller.
  • Popcorn. A small serving of unbuttered, unsalted, air-popped popcorn can also work in well with a diet plan to lose fat. Instead of adding butter and salt, try other herbs…Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper.  These will add Zing without adding calories.
  • Whole-grain crackers. Top two or three crackers off with low-fat cheese or peanut butter and this will count as a power snack for curbing hunger while feeding muscle.

    • Boosting the metabolism by eating throughout the day in the proper portions can greatly assist your fat-loss effort. Selecting the right snacks, however, is essential for making the program work. For other ideas on snacks for fat loss, talk to your trainer, give us a call at 783-1241 or send an e-mail with your questions to info@alaskafit.com.  Don’t forget to check out our blog and other articles for recipes and other nutrition ideas.

    About the Author
    Ginny Grupp is the owner of AlaskaFit, LLC, Anhorage’s fastest-growing fitness company.  If you’re ready to begin living a healthier, more fit lifestyle, please call 783-1241 right now to receive a complimentary nutrition and fitness Consultation (valued at $97).

    If you’re not yet ready for our free consultation offer, please complete the form to the right of this article and get instant access to our “5 Fat Loss Tips” Free report.

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