|
Click Here
for more Articles
|
|
|
|
Discover
These Healthy Snacks for Healthy Living
|
|
by:
Zaak OConan
|
Snacking is one of those issues that can
wreck the best laid plan for healthier eating. Everyone wants a snack
now and then, but the key is to make those snacks healthy and
nutritious as well as delicious.
There are many great snacks that can be enjoyed guilt free. For
instance choosing snacks from whole grain products, fruits and
vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat and nuts can be a great way
to satisfy your craving without destroying your diet.
The world of grain and whole grain products contain a great many
healthy snacks, including whole grain breads (wheat bread and rye bread
are great choices), whole what bagels, wholesome tortilla shells, pita
bread and whole grain cereals.
The all important vegetable and fruit food group contains so many ideas
for healthy snacks that it would be impossible to list them all here.
Some of the best, tastiest and easiest fresh fruit and vegetable snacks
include baby carrots or carrot slices, bit size vegetables such as
broccoli florets, radishes and green peppers, fresh vegetable and fruit
juice and fruit salads.
For a quick and easy fruit salad, try this five minute recipe. Open a
can of mandarin oranges and pour it into a bowl, making sure to capture
all the delicious juice as well. Cut up a banana, an apple and a
nectarine and add them to the bowl. Add some strawberries, blueberries
and raisins for extra taste and color, and serve.
Of course fresh fruit also makes a great snack on its own. Snacking on
apples, bananas and oranges is a great way to eat healthy and still
enjoy delicious snacks. Keeping a bowl of delicious fruit on the table
or the coffee table is a great way to encourage the entire family to
eat healthier.
The milk and dairy products food group also contains many healthy snack
items, including low fat and nonfat yogurt, skim milk, low fat
puddings, cheeses and even chocolate milk.
Low fat cuts of prepared meats and low fat varieties of lunch meats
make great snacks as well. Sandwiches made with whole grain bread and
low calorie spreads like mustard can be a great treat any time of day
or night.
Canned tuna (packed in water of course), peanut butter, eggs and egg
substitutes, poultry, nuts and beans are also excellent choices for
healthy snacks.
When creating healthy snacks, it is important to limit the consumption
of high fat foods, and foods high in salt and sodium. Instead of buying
snacks in the snack aisle of the grocery store, try making your own
using some of the suggestions listed above.
For added variety, try combining several different healthy snacks in
unexpected ways. For instance, try spreading peanut butter on pita
bread, or use it as a fun dip for apple slices. Or top a whole grain
English muffin with tuna and cheese. Place it in the broiler for a few
minutes and enjoy a healthy and delicious snack.
Other good ideas for quick and healthy snacks include pairing fresh
fruit with nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, adding fresh fruit slices to
cereal, and using fresh fruit and fruit juices to make delicious
smoothies.
To perk up bagels that are getting a little stale, try slicing them
into thin pieces and arranging them on a baking sheet. Brush them with
some low fat salt free butter or margarine, some garlic powder and bake
them for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. This is a great way to make your
own inexpensive and healthy bagel chips without the preservatives or
extra sodium found in the store bought variety.
There are of course many other types of healthy snacks, and their
variety is only limited by your creativity. It is important to make a
variety of healthy snacks, and keep them readily at hand. Replacing all
those unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives is one of the best
ways to keep snack cravings from sidetracking your healthy eating
goals.
About the author:
Zaak O'Conan discovers and presents useful information on how to
enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You'll find
his other articles on eating better and other ways how to improve your
life at http://your-health-center.com
Circulated by Article Emporium
|
|
