Hunger pangs attack unannounced, and what is a human being supposed to do? You had a heavy lunch, yet you are hungry after 2 hours. You had a breakfast worthy of a king, and hunger hits you like a freight truck at 11 am. You had a three-course meal for dinner, but there is your stomach growling at 1 am! It is difficult to not give in to such temptations, mostly when your stomach is protesting for some food! While snacking is looked upon as unhealthy, it really isn’t. It all depends on what you eat.
The trick is to munch on healthy foods and eat in small quantities. Snacks keep your stomach full, thus preventing you from overeating during your mealtime. Including nutrients and protein is the key, and you can snack on some delicious and healthy foods which are otherwise not fit for main meals. If you are clueless about what these fantastic snacks could be, then this is article is just for you. Here are few healthy snacks to munch on
1. Nuts Assortment
While nuts have a label of being fats, most people miss the preceding term, “healthy”! Nuts are healthy fats that are full of nutrition. The quantity, however, needs to be watched out for since overeating them might lead to weight gain. Nuts are known to even lower the risk of heart diseases and prevent depression, cancers, and certain illnesses. They are filling as they are high in fat. When consumed in moderation, nuts are known to help in weight reduction. Munch on them whenever you are hungry. You can also carry an insulated food jar with nuts wherever you go. This will stop you from binging outside and will also fill your stomach immediately after eating.
2. Greek Yogurt and Mixed Berries
Yogurt is the most loved dairy product, and for a good reason. It has a soft texture that slides down the throat and makes your stomach happy. Yogurt is also great for the gut. Berries have amazing nutritional value, and when both are combined, they make a nutritious snack. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and potassium. Berries are the powerhouse of antioxidants. Add half a cup of berries to a cup of yogurt, and your snack is ready!
3. Cottage cheese plus cinnamon and flax seeds
Reading the name itself is a task but the nutrients packed in this glorious snack are something you cannot overlook. All three ingredients have some impressive benefits. Cheese is everyone’s favorite, but what does cheese remind you of? Pizza? Pasta? Well, this snack tells you how healthy and beneficial cheese can be when combined with the right items. Cottage cheese is known to be high in protein and good fats, making it an exceptionally healthy snack. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar and improves gut health. Flax seeds help control blood sugar and aid weight loss. Flax seeds have a reputation for reducing the risk of breast cancer.
4. Chia Pudding
A yummy pudding for a snack? Yes, please! Chia seeds are loaded with fibers and can be added in any keto or vegan diet. They are also high in antioxidants which are excellent at improving heart health and reducing inflammation. This snack is extremely quite low in calories. Making chia pudding is easy. Pour water in a bowl and add chia seeds. Refrigerate for half an hour. Add peanut butter, sweetener, and cocoa butter. It would be healthier if sugar is avoided and you use a sweetener instead. Your healthy and yum pudding is ready!
5. Red Bell Peppers with Guacamole
All bell peppers are extremely healthy, but red bell peppers are rich in antioxidants, capsanthin, quercin, and beta carotene. They are also high in vitamin C. One large bell pepper is enough to meet the DV needed for vitamin C. Guacamole is prepared by mashing ripe avocados and sea salt with pestle and mortar. It is rich in fiber and monounsaturated fats. It is good for heart health and is gut-friendly. Combining guacamole with red bell peppers makes for a fibrous and healthy fat-rich snack while keeping the calorie count extremely low. Enjoy munching on this tasty snack, and you will be addicted to it in no time!
6. Peanut Butter and Apple
This match is a “made in heaven” snack as it is satisfying for both your taste buds and stomach. Peanut butter is good in increasing HDL (good cholesterol), thus improving heart health. Apples are loaded with fiber and antioxidants, which results in lowering the risk of developing heart disease and also improves gut health. It is important to consume peanut butter in moderation. Take a medium-sized apple and slice it into pieces. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your plate. Peanut butter brings a crispy and creamy texture in addition to the sweet flavor of apple. Have this for your 3 am hunger attack, and no one is the wiser!
7. Mozzarella with Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes and mozzarella are yet another combination you can never get enough of. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, lycopene(antioxidant), and potassium. Lycopene is an antioxidant that possibly lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer. Mozzarella is rich in vitamin B12, calcium, and protein. It decreases the risk of developing heart disease by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Combine little mozzarella with one cup of cherry tomatoes and enjoy this low-calorie snack! The sour and sweet flavor of tomatoes is a compliment to the slightly creamy and sour taste of mozzarella. This tangy snack is an excellent idea for your midnight tummy growling. Assemble everything on your plate and dig in.
8. Dried Coconut
This snack is filling, easy to carry, and also highly tasty. It is high in fats which are linked to promoting weight loss, increasing brain function in people who suffer from impaired memory, and improves metabolism. It would be best if you made sure that the dried coconut is unsweetened. Sweetened dried coconut contains a more significant number of calories which has to be avoided. You will find different varieties of unsweetened dried coconut online.
9. Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes contain a higher amount of lycopene than regular tomatoes. They come packed in olive oil, which helps the body absorb more lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer and heart diseases. The vitamin c found in 100gms of sun-dried tomatoes meets the vitamin C DV. It is a calorie-friendly snack. They are an excellent option for those mid-day hunger pangs.
10. Ricotta Cheese plus Cocoa Powder
Ricotta cheese is the most versatile cheese out there, and who is complaining? It is tasty and healthy too! It is used both in baking a cheesecake or making a casserole along with other veggies. When consumed alone, it is delectable! It is rich in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, niacin, zinc, along with many other nutrients. Take a bowl and add ricotta cheese to it. Add sweetener (stevia, if you will) and cocoa powder. Enjoy this mouth-watering snack for your 11 am hunger and watch your mood soar and your productivity double!
Conclusion
When you don’t address your hunger pangs, they aren’t going to go away, and they will only double up! Staying hungry will not only affect your body but your mood too! Have you ever noticed how crabby some people turn when they are hungry? Yes. You are going to turn crabby too. This will also affect your productivity and, in some cases, the sleep cycle too. The process of losing weight is never about how many times you eat in the day, but about the number of calories, you consume. So, next time, watch the calories going into your body rather than the number of times you are eating.