Snacks are small portions of food that you intake anytime besides your mealtime. Unfortunately, when it comes to snacking, most of us think about foods that are bad for us: Chips, candy bars, and cookies.
It can be challenging to find a healthy snack that satisfies your hunger without making you feel stuffed. Often, people choose unhealthy snacks because they are convenient or easily accessible.
However, there are plenty of healthy snacks you can prepare at home or buy from the grocery store that will help you maintain your current weight or if taken in a balanced amount, could also help you lose weight.
To lose weight and see visible results, you must follow a balanced, low-calorie diet high in protein and fiber. You can lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived by eating healthy foods that are low in calories but still satisfying. In addition, staying hydrated is key for weight loss, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Types Of Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss
According to a study[1], people who increased their protein intake to 30 percent of their diet ate about 450 fewer calories per day and lost about 11 pounds in 12 weeks.
Those who increased their fiber intake to 30 grams per day lost about eight pounds over the same period.
Below we have mentioned some healthy snacks balanced with fiber, protein, and low calories to add to your weight loss diet plan.
High-Fiber Snacks
High-fiber snacks can help[2] you feel full and satisfied. In addition, a high-fiber diet is associated with lower body weight, better health, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
A lot of the fiber in fruits is in their peels and is also rich in antioxidants, so if the peel is edible, try not to peel the fruits wherever possible.
Here are some of the best options for including more fiber in your snacking routine:- Vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, and squash
- Fruits such as peaches, plums, apples, and bananas
- Grains such as whole wheat pieces of bread or cereals (make sure they’re enriched with vitamins)
- Legumes such as black beans or lentils
For fruits, you can make smoothies from them with some ice and enjoy them any time of the day. You can also make some juice and coolers with cucumber and add honey, lemon, or mint for flavor.
These are very soothing for the body in summers and fulfill its water requirement, keeping it hydrated.
A High-Protein Snack
Protein is the building block for your muscles, which helps you burn fat; thus, supplying them with nutrients is key to maintaining a healthy weight.
Protein also helps you feel fuller and gives you better control over your hunger.
Furthermore, health experts recommend that you try to include high protein and low-calorie foods in your daily diet.
Below are some high-protein snacks for weight loss that you can enjoy without sabotaging your diet or health goals-- Greek yogurt (16g protein per 6 oz serving)
This creamy treat[3] is perfect for snacking on its own, or try blending in fresh fruit and granola for an excellent parfait that will satisfy any cravings you might have. - Eggs (6g per large egg)
The versatility of eggs is their best feature, which is why people can have them differently.
They’re great for breakfast sandwiches or scrambled with veggies like spinach or mushrooms. You could even try making protein-rich pancakes with them! - Cottage Cheese (15g per cup)This makes an excellent dip for fruits like apples and bananas! It also makes a great addition to smoothies if you’re looking for another source of quick energy before hitting spin class later in the day.
You could aim to consume at least 20 grams of protein per snack which will not only make you feel full but also prevent you from doing unnecessary extra snacking. However, it can also increase your calories, so be smart and try to balance it with your other meals of the day.
- Greek yogurt (16g protein per 6 oz serving)
A Low-Calorie Snack
A low-calorie snack means, it contains less than 200 calories. These snacks are made with ingredients that have a low caloric value and provide the body with essential nutrients.
A good snack contains protein and fiber. It has little sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.
For this reason, these could be considered some of the best foods for weight loss.
They can be eaten at any time of the day but should be consumed in moderation, as excessive snacking with anything can quickly add up to your calorie intake.
The following are some low-calorie snacks that can be eaten when you are trying to lose weight:- Fruits
Different fruits contain extra calories. For example, a 100g of the apple contains 52 calories, and a 100 g of banana has around 89 calories.
For a better choice, you can make a bowl of fruit salad with small quantities of all the seasonal fruits as long as you avoid seasoning. - Vegetables
Veggies are low-density foods suitable for improving satiety; you can also cook them in different recipes. If you want to fry them, look for healthy oils, like olive oil. - Beans and legumes
Chickpeas, Kidney beans, peas, Black Beans, etc., have low calories and high protein and fiber, according to studies[4]. Therefore, they are great for weight loss. You can have them in salad or soups or include them in a recipe. - Nuts and seeds
Cashew nuts, almonds, groundnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., all have benefits[5] of their own, and consuming them in just a tiny amount will make you feel full. Flax and chia seeds are known to be very beneficial for weight loss. Chia seeds contain potassium, magnesium, and protein that could also assist in natural weight loss.
- Fruits
Combination Of Healthy Snacks For Weight Loss
A Smart Combo Of Protein and Fiber
A combo of protein and fiber is the perfect way to feel full without adding too many calories to your diet.
Fiber can help you feel full even when not eating much food. It also helps keep your bowels healthy by providing bulk in the gut, which helps prevent constipation.
Protein has been shown to help with weight loss by increasing satiety (feeling full) while burning more calories during digestion.
A high-protein snack can make you consume fewer calories throughout the day than if you had eaten an equivalent amount of carbohydrates or fat for that period.
To help you with your weight loss goals, we have compiled a list of 5 intelligent combos of these three essential nutrients.- Avocado[6] and eggs
- Salmon and spinach
- Almonds and blueberries
- Ground beef and broccoli
- Protein shake with almond milk, banana, and blueberries
A Smart Combo Of Lean Protein And Low-Fat Yogurt
You can have your protein and yogurt too. The best part about this snack is that it’s a great source of lean protein and calcium, which can help keep you feeling fuller.
Lean protein sources include chicken, fish, turkey, tofu, beans, and legumes.
Low-fat yogurts are usually in the fat-free or low-fat category and come in many different flavors (Greek yogurt is a good alternative).
Look for brands that contain live active cultures to get the benefits of probiotics while satisfying your sweet tooth at the same time!
Eating healthy snacks throughout the day can help you stay full, manage blood sugar levels, and control your appetite. These are some quick and easy examples.- Protein-rich foods such as Greek yogurt, whole grains, and nuts are packed with nutrients that aid in weight loss.
- Fiber-filled fruits like apples and oranges help reduce cravings by making you feel full longer. They also support cardiovascular health and keep your digestive tract regular.
- Dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao content is another excellent choice because dark chocolate contains flavonoids that may improve[7] cholesterol levels while protecting against heart disease (as long as it doesn’t have too much added sugar).
Conclusion
Understandably, weight loss is not an easy task as no one wants to go out of their comfort zone, and it also takes a lot of time, dedication, effort, and discipline to lose weight.
Top it all is physical activities like exercise, workouts, yoga, running, or playing outdoor sports, as, without exercise, it may take more than two months to see visible results.
Achieving your goal will not happen overnight, but with the right balance of healthy eating and exercise, you will be able to see results in no time.
A healthy diet is the best way to lose weight. It is not just about eating less or exercising more. It is about making healthier choices that support your health and well-being.
It’s also essential to have a variety of foods in your diet to get all the nutrients you need for good health. For example, keeping different fruits may help you feel better and maintain a healthy weight.
7 References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed researches, academic and medical institution studies.
- Heather J Leidy, Peter M Clifton, Arne Astrup, et al. The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jun;101(6):1320S-1329S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.084038. Epub 2015 Apr 29. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926512/.
- N C Howarth, E Saltzman, S B Roberts. Dietary fiber and weight regulation. Nutr Rev. 2001 May;59(5):129-39. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb07001.x. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11396693/.
- J Eales, I Lenoir-Wijnkoop, S King, et al. Is consuming yoghurt associated with weight management outcomes? Results from a systematic review. Int J Obes (Lond). 2016 May; 40(5): 731–746. Published online 2015 Nov 3. Prepublished online 2015 Oct 7. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2015.202.
- Larry A. Tucker. Bean Consumption Accounts for Differences in Body Fat and Waist Circumference: A Cross-Sectional Study of 246 Women. J Nutr Metab. 2020; 2020: 9140907. Published online 2020 Jun 6. doi: 10.1155/2020/9140907.
- Emilio Ros. Health Benefits of Nut Consumption. Nutrients. 2010 Jul; 2(7): 652–682. Published online 2010 Jun 24. doi: 10.3390/nu2070652.
- Mark L. Dreher, Adrienne J. Davenport. Hass Avocado Composition and Potential Health Effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013 May; 53(7): 738–750. Published online 2013 May 2. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.556759.
- Hasmiza Halib, Amin Ismail, Barakatun-Nisak Mohd Yusof, Naomi Osakabe, Zulfitri Azuan Mat Daud. Effects of Cocoa Polyphenols and Dark Chocolate on Obese Adults: A Scoping Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec; 12(12): 3695. Published online 2020 Nov 30. doi: 10.3390/nu12123695.
- This article has been written for informational purposes only.
- None of the above statements have been evaluated by any FDA authority.
- We do not intend on providing any medical cure, help, or treatment.
- We recommend you consult your health expert in case of emergency or before consuming any product.
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Louise Rodriguez is a full-time health and fitness writer. She considers herself a gym rat and takes pride in showing her biceps. She dedicates most of her time to her health. With the time left, she spreads information regarding health and fitness among the masses. Harry Potter is her first love.