|
|
Looking for healthy and tasty snacks? Try these suggestions:
Chips and salsa: Most tomato-based vegetable salsas are a great source of Vitamin C, antioxidants and lycopene, which may help prevent heart disease and some cancers. Look for baked, not fried chips, and make sure the chips you choose have no trans fats on the label. Two ounces of salsa has just 20 calories. Baked tortilla chips are 120 calories per ounce.
Yogurt and berries: this sweet treat is almost like ice cream! Yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein, and berries are packed with heart-disease-fighting antioxidants. If fresh berries aren't in season, go with frozen. Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and cherries are some of the best choices, but any of the fruits are excellent! A half-cup plain, low-fat yogurt has 56 calories and 2/3 cup blueberries has 30 calories.
Light Microwave Popcorn: High fiber and great vitamin B content make popcorn a favorite treat that is also good for you! Go for the light version with fewer calories and fat and you'll be able to enjoy 1 cup for only 30 calories.
Carrot and celery sticks: They're standard fare for dieters, and with good reason! A cup of each contains only 15 calories and zero grams of fat.
Banana and almond butter: The fiber in the banana and the protein and fat in the almond butter combine to create a snack that will keep hunger at bay for quite a while. Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, which helps prevent muscle cramps and improves brain function. Almond butter has a bit more calcium than peanut butter, but either is a great choice, in moderation. Nuts are high in protein and while they are also high in fat, they are mostly unsaturated fat, which is the "good" fat for diets. A medium banana has 96 calories. One tablespoon of almond butter has 101 calories.
|
|
