Like most of the world, I love snacking. But it’s easy to pack on the
pounds when you’re mindlessly eating at your desk or late at night. To
curve the cravings but sate your appetite, the key is to stay away from
sugary or starchy snacks. Here are nine snacks you can eat as much as
you want, without the guilt (yes, really).
1. Air-Popped Popcorn
Avoid the bagged kind! Air-popped popcorn is easy to make at home on
your stove or microwaved in a paper bag. You can sprinkle it with
popcorn seasoning for more taste, but I prefer to eat mine plain. If
you’re craving sweet, not savory, sprinkle with cinnamon and a dash of
sugar. Best of all? It only has 33 calories per popped cup.
2. Clear Broth Soups
Soup is one of my favorite foods in the entire world. But stay away from opaque/milky
broths which are usually made with heavy cream. I like to make my own
by boiling a whole chicken with chicken stock, ginger, garlic and half a
white onion for several hours. The broth is flavorful and low-fat, and
the warmth helps sate my ravenous appetite.
3. Kale Chips
Kale chips are easy to make, but require some preparation ahead of
time. Give them a light coat of olive oil spray (I prefer Trader Joe’s)
and a sprinkle of fresh sea salt, then place them in a preheated oven at
350 degrees. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Egg Whites
Egg whites are high in protein and low in calories— only 17 per egg
to be exact. One of my favorite ways to eat egg whites is to lightly
spray a non-stick pan and crack 2 to 3 eggs inside. Swirl the egg whites
around the sides of the pan to create a thin “crepe” and sprinkle with
chopped green onions and a little sugar. Yum!
5. Heirloom Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinegar
I’ve recently discovered heirloom tomatoes, and they’re ridiculously good. My favorites are the dark purple/black varieties (try a cherokee purple) because they’re naturally sweet and don’t have the acidity of normal roma or beefsteak tomatoes. Slice tomatoes and drizzle with your favorite balsamic vinegar for a refreshing summertime snack.
6. Tea
OK, so tea isn’t a real “snack,” but I love drinking tea throughout
the day since it won’t give you the jitters a heavy dose of coffee will.
An important thing to remember is that people often mistake thirst for
hunger. Not only does tea help to speed up metabolism and the digestive
process, it also helps to keep your stomach feeling happy and full
7. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has twice as much protein as regular yogurt, so it truly
keeps you full. I doubt you’ll be able to eat more than one pack! Mix
with frozen berries or freeze it for an ice cream-like consistency.
8. Carrot Sticks
Carrots are great for you, naturally sweet and very filling. I try to
avoid baby carrots even though they’re more convenient. Just peel and
chop the big ones for a travel-friendly, anytime snack. During the
weekends, I’ll cut up several large carrots and distribute them in snack
size baggies. Perfect for when you’re on the go.
9. Baked Cauliflower
Baked cauliflower as a snack? Yes, really. When
you bake cauliflower, it takes on a hearty, almost sweet potato-like
consistency. Break up fresh cauliflower into florets and sprinkle
generously with sea salt. Bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes —
until you see the tips take on a deep brown color. Enjoy as-is or dip in
marina or curry sauce.
Source: healthdigezt.com
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