Doesn't Hurt to be Beautiful: 5 Healthy Snacks to Keep Handy

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

5 Healthy Snacks to Keep Handy

Popcorn

As long as you don't saturate it in butter and/or salt (a.k.a. movie theatre popcorn) this is a very healthy snack.

It's very high in fiber and low in calories. The best kind to eat is the air popped but if you're going to pop it on the stove make sure you use oils with monosaturated fats like canola or olive oil.

Be careful with microwave popcorn. Check the labels for sodium and fat content because it varies from brand to brand.

Almonds and Other Nuts

You've heard the old phrase "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well now people are saying the same thing about a handful of nuts.

The biggest weapon contained in nuts is the mono saturated fat. This kind of fat is actually good for you and can even help clear your arteries.

Nuts help fill you up and are also high in Vitamin E, fiber and magnesium.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps fight diseases such as cancer, asthma, osteoporosis and a host of other inflammations.

.....Sunflower Seeds Will Also Work

Sunflower seeds are like a cousin to the nut and contain a lot of the same good characteristics.

If you choose to eat these, be sure to choose the ones with low or no salt. Many people like to lick the salt from the shell and that's when a healthy snack turns into a not-so-healthy snack.

The salted shells are fine in moderation but just be sure to limit your consumption.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a delicious member of the legume family. It has a lot of the same good qualities as regular nuts, and is great because it will fill you up quickly.

If you ever want to hold yourself over to the next meal just eat a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter. That's 190 calories right there and you get a load of protein.

You can also add it to your fruit, crackers, or even a smoothie. It makes a great healthy snack.

Watch your consumption of it, however. Despite the protein, peanut butter is considered a high-calorie food. So be sure you don't overdo it.

Beef Jerky

Who knew? Beef jerky is actually a very healthy snack contrary to popular belief. On average one ounce of jerky contains about 70-80 calories, 12 grams of protein and around 1 gram of fat.

Just remember to buy your jerky at a health food store. The kind you see in regular grocery stores are generally high in sodium.

Low Fat Yogurt

An 8-ounce cup of yogurt generally contains 2-3 grams of fat and around 150 calories. This is a much better snack food option than something like ice cream.

A recent study showed people that consumed three servings of light yogurt daily as part of a reduced-calorie diet lost about 20 percent more weight than those who only cut calories.

Some recipes will even call for low fat yogurt to replace sour cream.

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