“7 Nutritious Low-Calorie Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings While Staying on Track with Your Diet”
When hunger strikes in the mid-afternoon, it’s tempting to reach for unhealthy snacks – but with a little effort, you can incorporate healthy, low-calorie snacks into your diet. These snacks not only satisfy your cravings but also provide an energy boost. Mindless snacking can lead to consuming too many calories, so it’s important to keep snacks under 100 to 200 calories. Plus, choosing healthy snacks like these options from Muscle and Fitness can provide you with essential micronutrients, fiber, and protein.
1- Popcorn
Satisfy your salty and crunchy cravings with air-popped popcorn. It’s heart-friendly due to its high polyphenol content and counts as a whole grain. Two and a half cups of popcorn contain 110 calories, two grams of fat, and only 200 milligrams of sodium.
2- Edamame
This veggie has an excellent nutrition profile, as it’s low-fat, low-cholesterol, and high in protein. Edamame is also loaded with essential fatty acids, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. One cup of edamame contains 189 calories, eight grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein.
3- Grilled Pineapple
If you have time, grill up some pineapple for a healthy and delicious snack. Pineapple is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all working to prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, and promote heart health. One cup of pineapple contains about 82 calories, and you can pair it with cottage cheese to add more protein.
4- Sweet Potato Chips
You can satisfy your salty and crunchy cravings while keeping it healthy by making your own sweet potato chips. Simply peel and thinly slice two sweet potatoes, pat the slices dry, and drizzle olive oil over them. Sprinkle sea salt and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
5- Celery with Peanut Butter
Snack like a kid again with celery and peanut butter. Celery is mostly water, with the remaining 25 percent being fiber, which makes you feel fuller for longer. Top each celery stick with peanut butter to add protein.
6- Frozen Grapes
If you need a small sugar kick, try frozen red grapes. Rinse the grapes in cold water and freeze them until they’re solid. Red grapes are high in antioxidants, specifically resveratrol, which has been linked to decreasing the risk for heart disease.
7- Walnuts
Among all the nuts, walnuts contain the most alpha-linolenic acid, which are plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. One ounce of walnuts contains 190 calories, four grams of protein, and 18 grams of fat (13 grams of which are polyunsaturated). The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has suggested that increasing the consumption of nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods while replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat can lead to a more balanced diet.
Incorporating these low-calorie snacks into your diet can help satisfy your cravings and keep your health on track.
