Snack time is just as important as breakfast, lunch and dinner as long as you opt for healthy snack food. Sometimes, well, most of the time snacking can be difficult since it always seems easier to grab some candy, chips, burger, or fries. But there are healthier (and quick) snack options within your reach.
Here are but a few of our favorite healthy snack foods that you can munch on at any time of the day:
Orange Slices
You won’t go wrong with an orange. In its purest and most concentrated form, not only will you benefit from the Vitamin C but you can also enjoy other nutrients such as Folate, Vitamin A, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium. More than that, oranges contain fiber which is nature’s natural sweeper. Simply put fiber makes it easier for you to eliminate harmful toxins in your body.
Did you know that the thin white inner portion of oranges is actually edible? Yes, apart from the sweet scent you can enjoy, the white skin actually has bioflavonoids that contribute to a boosted immune system. Additionally, did you know that iron is best absorbed with Vitamin C? So, if you are taking Iron as a supplement, you might want to have a glass of orange juice ready.
Another good attribute of orange is that it is available all year round so you can have oranges in every occasion.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is getting a lot of attention lately and for good reason! This type of yogurt as compared to the traditional yogurt most of us are accustomed to is actually loaded with higher doses of protein. More than that, Greek yogurt also has fewer calories and lower sugar content.
Another plus for Greek yogurt is that it is also a healthier choice for those with restricted sodium content specifically those suffering from hypertension and heart ailments. When you suffer from lactose intolerance, be comforted in the fact that the Greek variety is also friendly on your tummy because it has reduced lactose content from several processes of straining.
Finally, a lot of people have also attested to saying that the Greek variety is also creamier and thicker making it even yummier and more appealing for healthy-conscious individuals.
As a forewarn, try to avoid add-ons in your yogurt like crispies, chocolate bits, candies etc. This basically negates the idea of a healthy snack.
Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. A cliché perhaps but in reality, apples are certainly better alternatives to the value meals we purchase in fast food restaurants and certainly better substitutes for the chips and chocolates we buy in grocery stores.
Apples are known to be sweet (favorable for your sweet tooth) but they’re loaded with Vitamin C. The fruit is also an excellent source of dietary fiber. One piece of apple and you will already feel satiated. If eating it does not appeal to you, you can use your juicer or blender to enjoy it as a juice.
Hardboiled Egg
Nothing is easier to cook than a hardboiled egg! Hardboiled eggs may be cooked in the morning for just a few minutes and packed for your snack in the office.
There are just so many benefits of eggs. For one, an egg is a healthy source of high protein with an amazingly low amount of calories. They are also packed with both vitamins and minerals. To name a few, there’s Vitamin A that is perfect for your vision, Vitamin D to help in the absorption of Calcium, the Vitamin B family that helps in facilitating an improved metabolism as well as functioning of nerve fibers. As for the minerals, you get Iron for your blood, Selenium for the protection of your cells against oxidation and Zinc for enzyme stability.
As a word of caution though, the yolk part of an egg is very high in cholesterol and so it is best to consume eggs in moderation.
The ultimate trick to knowing if you are consuming a healthy snack food is to stick to these simple guidelines:
- Natural, pure, organic and basic
- No transfat
- Zero to low sugar and fat content
Without a doubt, eating healthy snack foods is a bit of a challenge especially in this time and age where we are faced with numerous options to choose from. However, choosing to live a healthy lifestyle and focusing on the healthier options will certainly not only make you healthier, but more energized and stronger. Healthy snack foods will ward away illnesses, control your hunger pangs to lose or maintain your weight and regulate your insulin and sugar levels.
