Maintaining weight is key to a healthy life. Weight loss is a must for many reasons in life, health, and well-being. It is wise to lose weight safely and healthily. Losing weight and getting a healthy weight will surely give you many benefits.
When is it necessary to lose weight?
Lose weight if:
- Your Body Mass Index is in the obese or overweight category.
- You are diagnosed with health issues related to weight, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and many more.
- Your doctor recommends for health issues.
- You have mobility issues, a lack of physique, and fatigue due to obesity.
Remember, the approach to weight loss should be healthy and sustainable. To lose weight in a short span, don’t opt for crash diets or intense measures that can cause nutrient deficiency, health disorders, or muscle loss. Instead, choose a sustainable way to lose weight that includes balanced nutrition, scheduled exercise, and adaptation to long term food habit change.
Losing weight is not all about looks but also about overall life quality, overall health and avoiding severe diseases. Always remember that small changes and consistent efforts will give you big and long term weight loss.
You don’t have to give up snacking while losing weight. Instead, choose the right snacks to maintain your energy level and weight loss goals. Select snacks that have fewer calories, are nutrient rich and most importantly satisfying. Let’s have a look at some quick and healthy snacks for weight loss:
Greek Yogurt with Berries
Consumption of half a cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt with a quarter cup of fresh berries enriches you with protein, fiber, and probiotics, providing you with a healthy snack to resolve your hunger issues. You can choose from a bunch of fresh berries like blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries, which have natural sweetness to balance unsweetened Greek Yogurt. The combo is full of protein with a very low calorie amount, helping you to attain weight loss.
Fresh Fruits
Natural fruits are sweet in nature, enriched with minerals, fiber, and necessary vitamins. Additionally, they have a very low amount of calories and are the best solutions to curb sugar cravings. It is advisable to consume an apple with a hint of cinnamon or peanut butter, a banana, a choice of berries, or a juicy watermelon. The fruits are full of fiber that cuts off your hunger, and the sugar present gives an energy boost.
Hard-boiled Eggs
Eggs are full of protein and have adequate nutrients, which makes them a supreme choice as a snack for weight loss. Prepare hard-boiled eggs in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Season them with salt or pepper upon consumption. They can help in controlling appetite and strengthen your muscles, helping to maintain muscle mass in the process of weight loss.
Avocado and Rice Cake
Avocado is a very healthy food ingredient that can be paired with a whole-grain rice cake. Mash the avocado and season it with salt and pepper. The combination ensures a perfect balance of good fiber, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Rice cakes have low calories, and their crunchy texture can also be paired with healthy nut butter.
Chia Seed Pudding
Prepare a healthy and delicious pudding by mixing a handful of chia seeds with almond milk and leaving it overnight. For added taste, drizzle honey and top it with some berries. Chia seeds are full of fiber, protein, and contain fatty acids as well.
Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas have a high amount of protein and are full of fiber content, which adds them to the list of quick, healthy snacks to consume. Chickpeas can be paired with some olive oil along with garlic powder, oregano, paprika, pepper, and cumin powder. Further, roast it in the oven at around 200 degrees Celsius for half an hour until it gets crispy. The extra amount of fiber and high protein content in chickpeas enhances hunger control ability.
Dark Chocolate & Almonds
Dark chocolate 70% cocoa has a large amount of antioxidants, which help in burning fat, resulting in a great alternative to snacks with sugar content. A healthy alternative as it satisfies sweet cravings, and the unsweetened dark chocolate has added benefits as it has healthy fats, high protein, and fiber. Consumption of dark chocolate with around 30g of almonds can enhance metabolism.
Tips to Make Healthy Snacking a Habit
- Appropriate Intake – Portion control is mandatory even while consuming healthy snacks, as it can lead to weight gain if taken in higher amounts.
- Adequate Hydration – At times, thirst is mistaken for hunger, so have enough amount of water before healthy snacking.
- Balanced Nutrients – Select proper snacks that have high protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Well-balanced nutrients provide sustained energy and also curb your hunger until the next meal.
- Systematic Planning – Always prepare your snacks well in advance so you don't have to opt for unhealthy snacks in a hurry.
- Refraining from Processed Snacks – always make sure that you consume minimal or no processed foods.
Keeping these things in mind and integrating healthy snacks into your diet can help to achieve your weight loss goal while not compromising your taste buds and nutritional aspects.
