Snacking can be a bit of a challenge. You’re trying your best to exercise and eat healthy, but then those snack cravings come knocking, and it’s like, “Oh no, what do I do now?”
No need to stress! Here are my top 5 healthy snacks. They’re easy, they’re tasty, and they won’t throw off your progress.
1. HUMMUS
One of my favourite snacks! Hummus is great because it is full of nutrients with no cholesterol and limited fats. It is also high in protein and healthy fats, which are important for maintaining a healthy heart. Hummus also has many other essential minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Make sure you check the labels before purchasing hummus, or better yet, make your own!
What goes well with hummus?
I like carrot sticks and hummus because they taste good together and make a satisfying snack. The crunchiness of the carrots and the creaminess of the hummus are a perfect match! Plus, it’s easy to grab and enjoy, which fits perfectly into my busy schedule ;)
Hummus goes great with lots of snacks! You can dip veggies like carrots, cucumbers, or bell peppers in it for a crunchy treat. Or try it with things like pita bread, crackers, or pretzels for a yummy snack.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even pair it with olives or cheese. And if you like a sweet touch, dip apple slices in hummus. There are so many tasty options to enjoy with hummus, so have fun mixing and matching!
If you are into Mediterranean food and about to get into the Mediterranean diet check out my blog for more info!
2. FRUIT
As a busy girl, fruit is a great snack because it’s quick, convenient, and healthy. It doesn’t need any prep and I can easily take it with me on the go. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and fibre, which keep me energized and full throughout the day. With so many delicious options, I never get bored!
Is it good to eat fruit every day?
Fruit gets a bad rap because a lot of people believe that fruits is high in sugar and carbohydrates, which is not entirely true as fruits have natural sugar called fructose and it is not the same sugar you will find in Twinkies so consuming fructose from fruit is entirely different from consuming fructose from processed foods and drinks.
But of course, any excess is bad so fructose is only bad for you in large amounts, and it’s hard to eat too much fructose just from fruit. For most people, the sugar in fruit is safe to eat! So it’s safe and still good to eat fruit every day!
Fruits are great because they are high in fibre, water, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Plus, fruit is super convenient and filling so makes for the perfect snack. Just make sure you’re sticking to whole fruit rather than dried fruit and fruit juices.
I like to add extra effort to my favourite fruits just like what I did for this sweet Papaya boat topped with coconut yogurt, nut butter, granola, cocoa nibs and fruits! This is total bliss!
3. BOILED EGGS
Boiled eggs are my top 3 favourite snacks as it is quick to prepare, so I can have a batch ready to go whenever I need a snack on the go. And because they’re so easy to grab and take with me, I never have to worry about missing out on a nutritious snack while I’m out and about! With plenty of protein to keep me feeling full and satisfied, and I personally like hard-boiled eggs!
RELATED POST: ARE EGGS GOOD FOR YOU?
What are the benefits of eating boiled eggs?
Boiled eggs are low in calories, high in protein and very nutritious. Plus they increase your good cholesterol! They do contain healthy fats though so make sure you’re not going overboard. Protein is found in the egg white and fat in the egg yolk. A great way to increase the protein and reduce the fat is to make an omelette with one whole egg (i.e. one yolk) and a few egg whites.
Boiled eggs are rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, B12, iron, phosphorus, and selenium. These nutrients support various bodily functions and promote overall health.
The combination of protein and healthy fats in hard-boiled eggs helps regulate appetite and can support weight management goals. They’re even beneficial for eye health, containing antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which may reduce the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Boiled eggs are low in calories, high in protein, and very nutritious. They even increase good cholesterol levels!
While they do contain healthy fats, it’s important not to go overboard. Remember, protein is found in the egg white, while fat is in the egg yolk. To increase protein intake and reduce fat content, consider making an omelette with one whole egg (one yolk) and several egg whites.
4. PROTEIN SHAKES
Quick, easy and pretty tasty! I always talk about why protein is so important for your diet and the benefits (including keeping you full for longer). I have at least one scoop of natural whey protein every day to help me reach my required protein intake. If you haven’t got a protein powder, I highly suggest you invest in one.
Will I lose weight with protein shake?
Drinking protein shakes might help you lose weight. They can make you feel full and preserve your muscles, which could help with weight loss.
Some people use protein shakes as meal replacements, which means they have them instead of a regular meal. Doing this might help you eat fewer calories and shed some pounds. But just having protein shakes alone might not make you lose weight.
RELATED POST: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEAL REPLACEMENTS AND PROTEIN SHAKES
You need to think about how many calories you’re eating overall and make sure you’re eating a balanced diet with lots of healthy foods.
You can use my free calorie and macros calculator to figure out how many calories you should be eating!
5. YOGHURT
Yoghurt contains a whole heap of healthy bacteria, which is important for maintaining a healthy gut, plus lots of vitamins and minerals, and calcium of course. Did you know that yoghurt is also high in protein? Yoghurt is one of the best snacks and something that I eat on a daily basis, without fail! I am lactose intolerant so I eat Black Swann lactose free greek yoghurt.
I also like adding fruits to my yoghurt to add more color and taste to it! Remember to always check the labels to make sure it’s not packed with sugar ;)
I eat most of these foods every single day, and let me tell you, I’m all about snacking – at least 2 to 3 times daily! So, when I recommend these snacks, you better believe they’re my go-to choices.
So, let’s stick to the good stuff, and keep those cravings in check! For a full description of my daily diet and what I eat in a day as a personal trainer, you can check out my blog post here xx
Sources:
- Do Eggs Raise Cholesterol Levels? – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/are-eggs-bad-for-cholesterol
- Is Hummus Healthy? 8 Great Reasons to Eat More Hummus – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-hummus-healthy
- Which Yoghurt Is Best? – https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/which-yoghurt-is-best-20140710-zt22p.html
- What To Eat With Hummus: 23 Delicious Ideas – https://www.instacart.com/company/ideas/what-to-eat-with-hummus/
- Is Fruit Good or Bad for Your Health? The Sweet Truth – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-fruit-good-or-bad-for-your-health
- When It Comes To Sugar, Fruit Gets A Bad Rap – https://thewell.northwell.edu/healthy-living-fitness/is-sugar-in-fruit-bad-for-you
- Hard-Boiled Egg: Nutrition, Health Benefits, and Protein – https://www.medicinenet.com/hard-boiled_egg_nutrition_health_benefits_and_p/article.htm
It’s FREE
10 Responses