Snacks: Weight Loss That Really Does Work For You
Eat snacks and lose weight! Have you heard anyone ever recommend that to you? Probably not. You’re eating three meals a day, using all of the nutrition guides, staying disciplined, but still struggling to keep the pounds off. So now, you have nothing to lose by trying out these nutritious snacks. Go ahead and watch those excess pounds roll off you.
Eating snacks with the right ratio of nutrients and with the right calories, will also help keep you body energized and help you lose weight. Protein (plus exercise) fuels the growth of lean muscle mass, which boosts metabolic rate and increases calorie burn. Fiber, meanwhile, helps improve digestion and keeps you from binging on fats and sugars. So while there’s no food that will literally “burn fat” while you eat it, smart choices with these ingredients will help your body operate at maximum efficiency. Eat snacks that are under 200 calories, with 10 grams of protein and close to 5 grams of fiber. Here are several excellent fat-burning snacks.
Snacks: Apple And Milk
One large apple and one cup of skim milk. This combination gives you 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for just over 200 calories.
Snacks: Cottage Cheese-filled Avocado
Remove the pit from one half of an avocado and fill the space with 2 ounces of 1% cottage cheese. For 200 calories, you’ll get 9 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. Tastes great!
Snacks: Canned Tuna on whole-wheat crackers
A can of tuna packaged in water is another great source of lean protein plus healthy Omega-3s. For about 200 calories, you can enjoy 3 ounces of light tuna and 6 whole-wheat crackers. This combo has 3 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein.
Snacks: Sunflower Lentil spread with Pita bread
Lentils are a good source of iron, a metabolism-boosting nutrient that 20% of us don’t get enough of. This savory recipe makes four 180-calorie servings, perfect for a hearty snack. Furthermore, it has 10 grams each of protein and fiber, it’s satisfying enough to keep you fueled until your next meal.
Snacks: Warm Pear with Cinnamon ricotta
Ricotta cheese is rich in protein, and pears are a good source of fiber. Together with a teaspoon of cinnamon, they make a delicious snack for any time of day. Each serving contains 8 g protein, 5 g fiber, and 170 calories.
Snacks: Miso-Glazed Tofu
This recipe is touted as a main course, but it’s so light on calories (only 164) that it can stand in as a mid-day snack, as well. It also packs plenty of protein (12 g) thanks to the tofu, as well as 3 grams of fiber.
Snacks: Chicken Pita Sandwich (half)
Whip up this chicken and veggie pita in the morning, and split it in half for two snacks throughout the day. Each half contains 200 calories, 3 grams of fiber, and more than 20 grams of protein.
Snacks: Lentil Salad with tomatoes and watercress
Salads aren’t just for mealtime, when they’re about 200 calories, they also make a great afternoon snack, as well. This one has 11 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, thanks to superfood lentils and plenty of veggies.
Snacks: Vegetable Tostata
You can’t go wrong with black beans and veggies: These tostatas cook up quickly and easily for a fast and healthy mini-meal between lunch and dinner. At just over 200 calories, you get 13 grams of protein and 10.5 grams of fiber. Top with tomato salsa for added flavor without fat.
Snacks: Pumpernickel Toasts with Smoked Salmon
This gourmet treat is an awesome balanced and satisfying snack. The pumpernickel toast lends fiber to help keep your belly full until your next meal. While the salmon boasts high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, B vitamins, potassium, and selenium. Plus, these tasty toasts include a horseradish spread for just the right amount of flavor kick. The best part: They take less than 10 minutes to make and only 100 calories!