The Best Healthy Snack Choices For Weight Loss

Taking on the weight loss journey isn't the simplest task. It takes a lot of courage, effort, and dedication to achieve the results you want. However, while some people choose to restrict themselves to literally everything they like, weight loss experts say it is a shortcut to relapse and loss of faith in oneself.

You can eat healthily and enjoy yourself in the process of weight loss, and there is certainly some room for snacking. However, you will need to choose healthy snacks for weight loss to keep up with your weight loss schedule. That is precisely what we will discuss today. After reading this article, you will be able to choose the perfect snack depending on your needs, activities, and time of the day!

Are snacks healthy?

You should work on your new menu when you decide to lose weight. While you plan the main courses, you have to pay a fair share of attention to the notion of a healthy snack. Cross all the chips and high-calorie snacks off the list and add those that contain healthy fats, fibre, protein, and other nutrients. You will be surprised how well-chosen snacks can keep you full until the next meal without skyrocketing your calorie intake. To put it simply – properly-chosen snacks are a vital part of your effective weight loss process.

Healthy snack ideas for weight loss

Kale chips

Whether you want to manage weight or succeed with dropping a few pounds, you should say 'no' to good old potato chips. There are zero health benefits that the snack has, yet the added sugars and fast carbs will ensure that you are moving in the opposite direction. In case you still crave something crunchy and crispy when snack time comes, you can chew on kale chips instead. What makes kale such a great snack is the loads of fibre, protein, and antioxidants the vegetable is packed with.

Roasted chickpeas

Chickpeas and the rest of the legumes are a great source of plant-based protein. Thus, eating less than a cup of those a day will ensure that you are losing weight with as little effort as possible. However, while eating the chickpeas plain may feel a little boring, you can roast them instead. All it takes is a sprinkle of olive oil, some seasoning, and a pinch of salt to get yourself a serving of healthy snacks for weight loss.

Guacamole with jicama

Did you know that those who eat avocado regularly have lower body mass indexes compared to those who don't? If you also like snacking on raw veggies, you've got yourself a jackpot in the form of guacamole and jicama. All you need to do is season those jicama sticks with chilli powder, dip them in some guac and enjoy the delicious bliss. Keep in mind that one cup of jicama sticks contains as many as 46 calories but is filled to the brim with filling fibre.

Mini frittatas

If you don't mind spending some time on meal prep, then this is a great snack to add to the list. Eggs are a great source of protein, but having a hard-boiled egg so often can be a little intimidating. So, we suggest you get a little creative and make a tasty frittata instead. All it takes is a bunch of whipped eggs mixed with some tasty filling of choice – veggies, cheese, or meat – poured into a muffin tin and baked for around 15-20 minutes.

Split pea soup

Eating a bowl of soup seems like a whole meal itself, but the rule does not apply to split pea soup. The truth is that split peas are high in protein, serving as a hunger-reducing element. As long as you don't introduce whole grain toast into the serving, the dish will count as a quality snack. Just a bowl of split pea soup contains 10 grams of protein and a fair share of fibre.

Healthy snack ideas for post-workout cravings

After a tiresome workout routine, your body requires a quality energy source to recharge itself. Binge-eating pizza or hamburgers after the session isn't an option if you want to lose weight, so you should have access to the list of healthy snacks for weight loss you can afford. Use these options to guide yourself in the right direction.

Blueberry toast

It is challenging to stick to a low-calorie diet when you have a sweet tooth. Yet, nothing is impossible as long as you have access to such a balanced snack as blueberry toast. All it takes is a slice of whole-wheat bread coated in a tablespoon-serving of almond butter and topped with blueberries. You can use fresh or frozen berries. It does not matter. In either case, you will get an excellent combo of healthy fat, protein and fibre with zero added sugar. In addition, the antioxidants found in blueberries have been proven to promote weight loss.

Peanut butter and banana snack

Should you be pressed for time after the workout and can't afford to spend a lot of time working on a healthy snack, all you need is a banana and 1-2 spoonfuls of natural peanut butter. We recommend using natural nut butter, because other kinds of butter may contain unfavourable additives such as palm fat and added sugar – these are the ingredients to keep away from. As for bananas, fresh fruit is an excellent source of potassium and magnesium, which will help your muscles recover after the gym session.

Greek yoghurt with berries

Another satisfying snack on our list would be the mixture of plain Greek yoghurt and some tasty berries. You can choose raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry – whether these are fresh or frozen berries, it does not matter. Because Greek yoghurt is rich in protein and berries carry a lot of antioxidants, the combo is a killer one for body restoration after a brutal workout session. A pro tip – in case you work out in the morning and wonder if you can combine the snack and the breakfast, in this case – you can. Just add a bit of oats to the mix.

Cottage cheese and veggie sticks

At times you can even combine two snacks in one. Cottage cheese goes well with raw vegetables. Whether these are carrot sticks or cucumber sticks, either option serves well as long as you enjoy the taste. It should be added that cottage cheese is a great source of leucine. This amino acid ensures that the protein synthesis in your muscles works smoothly after you finish working out.

Post-workout shake

On a hot summer day, you may want nothing more than a nice, chilly snack to cool you down. That is where healthy post-workout shakes come in. All it takes is a scoop of nut butter, a frozen banana, a pinch of both cocoa powder and protein powder, topped with a few ice cubes. Blend it all well and enjoy the tasty snack that will only positively affect your body.

High-protein snacks for weight loss

Losing weight is all about introducing healthy and nutritious food into the diet. Protein intake is essential for a steady and consistent weight loss process. Thus, it helps to be aware of which snacks are filled with nutrients and which are not.

Pistachios

Nuts are on the list of healthy snacks for weight loss, but there is something unique about each particular type. For instance, pistachios are not only rich in proteins but also contain a fair share of healthy fats and fibre. Keep in mind that there is another advantage to the nut – the shell. While you put some time and effort into opening them, you won't abuse your intake by slowing down the eating process.

Hard-boiled eggs

An obviously nutrient-dense snack to pay attention to would be hard-boiled eggs. Eggs are a source of protein, and they are also easy to acquire, cook and take with you anywhere you go. You can boil them beforehand and implement healthy snacking with as little time and effort as possible.

Protein bar

This may sound cliché, but there is a reason why protein bars have been invented. Most protein bars are highly packed with protein, and that is what you are looking for, isn't it? They also contain all the vitamins and minerals your body requires to burn fat. Besides, the snack comes of great use if you have a sweet tooth. However, you should watch out for added sugars since they will ruin the product's effect.

Beef jerky

If you are constantly on the run and you want to have a filling snack on you in case you get hungry, beef jerky is indispensable. On top of the high amount of protein, the snack is filled with different minerals and vitamins. Moreover, one ounce of beef jerky has only 80 calories but as much as 9 grams of protein. Lastly, the snack is usually conveniently packed, so you can take it anywhere.

Apples and almond butter

Combining your favourite fruit and healthy nut butter is one of the best snacks to have around. Mixing almond butter and apples is one of the most delicious snacks on the market. However, you should be careful with the amount of butter you consume since it is all too easy to go from a healthy amount to a high-calorie intake. A single serving of almond butter and an apple should be enough.

Low-calorie snacks for weight loss

When you are all-in for a consistent and speedy weight loss, you may want to set your calorie intake as low as possible. While that is not the safest approach to losing weight, many people prefer to stick to it. Should you be on the list, you should be aware that low-calorie snacks aren't a myth. Many healthy snacks for weight loss won't affect your daily intake that much.

Popcorn

Contrary to popular belief, air-popped popcorn is extremely low in calories. Of course, we are not talking about the kind of popcorn you get at the theatre. The rule applies to a home-made healthy snack. If you want to create that movie theatre taste, you can sprinkle it with some parmesan cheese and your seasoning of choice. Chances are, it will taste even better.

Whole-grain crackers

Whole-grain crackers are another great option to keep on hand when you get a little hungry, but the time for the next meal hasn't come yet. If the crackers feel a little too dull for you, you can always spice them up with carrot sticks and other favourite veggies. If a sweet taste is what you seek, you can pair the crackers with fruit.

Pretzels

Saying 'no' to pastries is what you are told to do when you go on a diet. Yet, there is room for guilty pleasures, even low-calorie ones. Pretzels are low-calorie snacks, and are fine to have from time to time. However, watch out for the coatings your pretzels may have, especially chocolate.. As long as you choose plain pretzels as your healthy snack, it won't make you gain weight.

Rice cakes

You may have decided to cross the word 'cake' off your vocabulary list, but there are healthy cakes too. We are talking about rice cakes, which serve as a filling snack that contains too few calories to result in weight gain. Such an airy, delicious snack will keep your junk food cravings at bay. Rice cakes also come in many flavours, so you won't get bored of them soon.

Trail mix

Trail mix is precisely the snack to get your healthy fats, carbs, and proteins from without spiking your calorie intake. If you don't want to snack on the store-bought option, you can always prepare a home-made trail mix so that you are 100% sure that there are no unhealthy additives in the mix. However, take a precise and strict approach to your snack portion. It is too easy to exceed the allowed intake and boost your calories without even realising it.

Late-night snacks for weight loss

Have you ever felt your cravings and hunger double when night falls? Well, you are not the only one.If you approach the issue correctly, you will be able to satisfy those cravings without disrupting your weight loss progress. Simply consume 90% of your allowed calories before 8 pm and fill the remaining 10% with healthy snacks.

Dark chocolate

Even though chocolate is a type of dessert, you are allowed to have dark chocolate when on a diet, even when the hour is late. You have to get yourself a bar of 72 percent dark chocolate and treat yourself to a serving of 2 ounces, no more. If you stick to these conditions – you have nothing to worry about.

Dried fruit

Nothing compares to candy in terms of taste and calories. However, when the urge to chew on something sweet hits, you can easily substitute candy for dried fruit, figs in particular. Dried fruit belongs to the list of late-night healthy snacks for weight loss you don't have to feel guilty about. Figs are indeed a filling snack, but you should monitor the intake. One ounce has 48 calories, but also 12 grams of carbs and 10 grams of sugar.

Frozen berries

Just like dried fruit, frozen berries will save the day when you decide to snack on something before going to bed. You can freeze some bananas too. Both are filled with antioxidants and vitamins. This snack is exceptionally filling, so you will satiate your hunger in no time. With as little as 13 calories per ounce, you can feast before you hit the bed, and nothing will spoil your slimming waist.

Cheese

Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to give up on cheese when you are on a diet. However, you must pick the sorts of cheese that suit your purpose. Moreover, you can snack on cheese when the hour is late. Some cheeses you can snack on include mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, goat cheese, and even string cheese. However, all should come in moderation. A single serving of string cheese contains 70 calories, which is quite a lot considering how much of it you can consume in one go. Moderation is key.

Tea

One of hunger's most overlooked aspects is that sometimes, it isn't hunger at all – but thirst. That is why it is advised to check if you’re actually thirsty before you allow yourself to chew on something. Brew a nice, hot cup of tea and sip on it thoughtfully. If you don't feel pangs of hunger after the tea session, then you have your answer plain in front of you. On top of that, herbal tea carries a plethora of health benefits, and it can even soot

he the mind and help you unwind and relax.

Final words

The weight loss process is a lengthy and delicate path to take. However, if you approach the matter well, you will see results in no time. Don't try to eliminate everything tasty out of your life when you go on this adventure. Just swap the unhealthy snacks for healthy ones and enjoy your life to the fullest while achieving your goals!