15 Great Healthy Snacks

Do you get the munchies mid-afternoon ? Is 4 p.m. tummy growling time? Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger, fact is 3 in 10 of us get the munchies around that time of day. After dinner and late evening also gets me searching the cupboard or refrigerator for a snack. Even though I know it is important to watch what I eat in order to stay healthy and keep my waistline trim., I still crave that snack. I also know that taking in less calories helps us to live longer. Hooray for adding extra years to my life, but giving in to that urge to snack is really difficult. It does not, however, have to be a bad thing. Eating every 3-4 hours can actually help maintain blood sugar levels and boost the old metabolism. What is important is to choose the right kind of snack with the least amount of calories and best nutritional value. Remember that all snacks are not created equal. Healthy is the key. Strive for a balance of nutrients.

Sound too difficult? Impossible maybe?

It really isn’t. You don’t have to give up your snacking entirely. Think of snacking as another route for healthy eating and living. Choose your snacks wisely and don’t blow your diet on a snack full of sugar and calories. Try to keep snacks under 100 calories. Fill up on fiber or protein. High- fiber foods and protein rich foods will fill you up faster and leave you feeling fuller longer. Remember weight gain is the result of eating more calories than we need in a day. If you fill up on something healthy when the munchies hit, it can prevent you from overeating at lunch or dinner. Plan ahead and think about the time of day you feel a snack attack hitting you. Plan your snacks around those weak moments and at least 3 hrs before a meal.

With all the hype about obesity in our country companies are packaging 100 calorie snack packs. Just remember that low calorie does not necessarily mean healthy. Be sure to read the fat and carbohydrate content before choosing them. Try doing it yourself instead by using fresh foods that are healthier. It is quite an eye-opener when you can actually see what a 100 calorie portion looks like.

With all that in mind , here are some great healthy and light, under 100 calories, snacks for your snack attacks. Choose your favorites and enjoy knowing you are eating healthy and smart.

1. Two cups of watermelon cubes at 85 calories.

2. One cup of blueberries at 90 calories.

3. Thirty grapes at 100 calories.

4. Celery stick and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter at 100 calories.

5. 15 baby carrots have 64.5 calories.

6. One 6 oz. light fat free yogurt has 100 calories.

7. Six reduced-fat Triscuits have 100 calories.

8. One half cup of berries and two tablespoons of low-fat whipped cream has 100 calories.

9. 24 unsalted almonds has 80 calories.

10. Half of a turkey sandwich, 2 0z. of turkey breast on whole wheat bread, mustard, lettuce and tomato is about 100 calories.

11. One low fat cheese stick is about 80 calories.

12. One Healthy Choice fudge bar has 100 calories.

13. One half cup of water packed tuna and one stalk of celery has about 83 calories.

14. Ten rice crackers and 2 tablespoons of salsa has 90 calories.

15. One medium apple has about 81 calories.

There are dozen more low calorie healthy snacks, these are just few yummy ones. You shouldn’t have any trouble adding some of these snacks into your daily diet. Go ahead and give into your urge and snack away!

Happy Snacking!!