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Healthy Snacks That Kill The Hunger And Help You Drop The Pounds

By HealthLife Contributor
Writer
Updated: December 10, 2008
There are many great tasting, healthy snacks that you can try in your quest to lose weight. Some may offer fiber, protein, omega 3 fatty acids or other vitamins and minerals. Try balancing your snacking so that you get a variety of snacks. This keeps you from getting bored and gives you the different benefits that come from these foods.

1. Fresh Fruits

Oranges give you a great dose of vitamin C while apples offer tons of fiber which can help you feel fuller longer. Bananas are loaded with potassium which can counterbalance a binge on salty foods that leaves you feeling bloated. The potassium binds to the sodium that is making you retain water, then it helps to flush the sodium out of your system.

2. Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables are loaded with fiber and vitamins. You need to lightly steam some of the harder vegetables like broccoli. The lignin in the harder vegetables can actually prevent you from reaping all of the benefits of those vegetables. Of course, in most cases, raw is best, but you do need to break down the lignin a little in the harder vegetables.

3. Nuts

Natural, unsalted nuts are a delicious snack. They may be a little higher in fat, but they are a "good" fat. Many nuts have omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce your risk of heart disease, plus, they are packed with protein which is conducive to weight loss.

4. Chips and Salsa

Unsalted corn chips and salsa are a great, low calorie snack. Try some of the healthy, low sodium, organic salsas that are now available. They often have many different varieties including avocado which is another great source of omega 3 fatty acids.

5. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is high in fiber and a delicious choice in a snack. The only drawback is that store bought dried fruit can be filled with sugar. You may want to try drying your own fruit. A good food dehydrator can be quite effective and you can dry apples, pears, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and other fruits. Get a food dehydrator and experiment!
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6. Tuna

Tuna is a protein packed, filling snack. Drizzle a little lemon and add some fresh, coarse ground pepper or a little vinegar and coarse ground black pepper for a refreshing treat. When you eat tuna, though, you should rinse it first. Canned tuna is packed in water, but salt is added and you don't need the extra sodium. Rinse your tuna well in a sieve.

7. Popcorn

Air popped popcorn makes a great, high fiber snack. Steer clear of microwave popcorn, though, it is usually packed with sodium, has a great deal of salt and is popped in oils that are high in saturated fat.

8. Pita Chips and Hummus

You can make your own whole wheat pita chips as well as your own hummus which is a very filling, healthy snack. The whole grains add fiber and other nutrients while the hummus offers protein. What's more, when you make your own you control the amount of salt and sodium that is added as well as fat. You can also add any flavors that you like such as garlic, sun dried tomato or roasted red pepper.

9. Celery and Peanut Butter

This is an old favorite, but it is one of the healthiest old favorites out there. The celery has lots of fiber while the peanut butter is loaded with protein. Both work together to make you feel fuller longer.

10. Cheese and Crackers

Low fat cheese and whole wheat crackers make a wholesome snack that will sustain you for quite a while. The cheese has calcium which is a great help in weight loss. The whole wheat crackers fill you up with nutritious fiber.

There are lots of other healthy snack options that you can choose. Just remember that healthy snacks are much more than low calorie and low fat, some fats are necessary to keep your body working properly. Also remember to drink lots of water. Try drinking a full glass of water when you stop to snack.
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