Eating healthy snacks is hard when you’re home all day. These healthy snacks will stop you from overeating and help curb your appetite!
Popcorn is such a simple snack but is probably the easiest to overeat. They are one of the more filling and popular snacks. If you buy these prepackaged, look for low salt or salt-free options. The best way to keep popcorn as a healthy snack is to make it yourself! It is very easy to do and will be much healthier when you can control how much salt or butter is added. Try it with parmesan cheese and elevate your popcorn. Make sure you measure out your popcorn so you don’t make too much or burn it.
Fruit bowls are great for those who have a sweet tooth. This is not to confuse you with a smoothie bowl, which may be risky for those watching their sugar intake. If you are used to artificial sugars, make sure you do not overeat fruits. It is very easy to do so since you might trick yourself into believing that it is healthy and can do no harm to you. Try fruit variations or less fruit with peanut butter or plain yogurt, or just a plain piece of fruit, if you are not picky.
Like above, it is easy to overeat vegetables as a healthy snack. If you have a fruit you can eat with no dip, like carrots, olives, or celery, then this will not be too hard. If you need something to go with it, look for the low-calorie ranch, hummus, or cream cheese. You can also make guacamole and dip vegetables instead of tortillas for an easy low-carb swap. Some suggestions are sugar snap peas, which are sweeter than you think, or cucumbers with your favorite dip. For those uninterested in veggies, try edamame, which is a soybean that makes a great salty snack. They are high in fiber and protein, so you won’t have to worry about deciding if it is healthy.
Cheese is a weakness for a lot of people, but there is a way to keep it a healthy snack. Definitely reach out for the low-calorie or sodium snackable cheeses and avoid buying huge batches of them. Eat it paired with almost every other option on this list, like a piece of fruit or some veggies, and have a fulling snack that is still mostly healthy. Do not guilt yourself in having a snack that is not seen as healthy! It is all about portion control.
Be careful with smoothies because it all depends on what you put in them. Yes, a real fruit smoothie is better than one with artificial sweeteners, but there is still a lot of sugar intake in one smoothie. You may have to do some planning with your fruit intake if you favor smoothies. You can also mix your smoothie with veggies that will stay palatable with fruits. Try spinach, avocado, beets, carrots, or pumpkin in your next smoothie.
Nuts and dried fruit are great mindless munching snacks. They are filling and have many health benefits, like reducing the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. They have a wide range of beneficial nutrients and can tackle sweet or salty cravings. Still, these are easy to overeat, so make sure you portion control. They are not usually high in calories but double-check that the dried fruits you purchase do not have any added sugars. Try nuts with no added salt paired with dark chocolate for a sweet snack.
Protein bites are also great for those with a sweet tooth. There are so many recipes with a variety of ingredients, so no sugar and low-calorie options are possible. They make a great healthy snack without feeling extra healthy and are usually quick to make. They can be made with nut butter, oats, seeds, and some chocolate chips. Here is the recipe for the Chunky Monkey Protein Bites pictured below!
Yogurt is controversial in that buying those with pre-added fruits are sometimes too high in sugar. Make certain that the yogurt you buy has no added fruits to prevent eating extra sugar. Upgrade plain yogurt by adding fresh grapes or mixed berries and a drizzle of honey. if you prefer granola, omit the honey and be careful not to add too much. Granola is high in calories and some have extra sugar, so be mindful of that. You can also take plain yogurt, add some dill and lemon juice, and eat with veggies instead.
This may not be an option for those who do not like tea (or coffee), but it helps in controlling cravings. Sweet tooth people will appreciate this a little more, with a little bit of milk and honey (just be careful with the amount of honey). Tea is better after dinner to help curve the need to eat something sweet afterward. If you are just starting out with this healthy snack, try drinking tea with a small fruit or protein ball and slowly let go of the extra snack. Your self-control will definitely be challenged with this one.
But only if they are healthy! If you had pizza last night, they will (sadly) not make a healthy snack the next day. If you have not invested in a meal prep lifestyle or app, this would be the ultimate way to stop overeating and portion your food intake. Your leftovers can be a guilt-free snack that will not throw off your personal goals. If you don’t have leftovers, listen to your cravings and try to match a snack similar to what you desire. If you are looking for something salty, try miso soup. If you crave soda, try lemon water or carbonated water. You got this!
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