5 healthy snacks for weight loss to satisfy your cravings
It’s 3 o’clock and your stomach starts to growl. You look at the time and realize it’s been two hours since you ate your protein-heavy lunch and you have two more hours left to go home, but your cravings are not going anywhere anytime soon. If you had it your way, you would reach out for a bag of chips and crunch away on them, but you’re trying to stay on a healthy diet and junk food is not an option, so that’s out the window. Now what?
Consider healthy snacks for weight loss. Look, we’ve all felt it and we’ve all been there. The late afternoon craving has put our commitment to the test. Will you stay on track or run as fast as you can towards the cookie jar in the kitchen and grab as many sweets along the way as you can find because, who wants to eat another carrot or a bag of kale? Well, we’re happy to tell you that there are many options rich in nutrition and flavorful to help you take care of those junk food cravings and contribute to your weight loss goals.
Why do we experience 3 p.m. cravings?
Junk food cravings around 3 p.m. are real and have been widely studied. You’ve had your lunch and dinner time is ages away, will you make it another few hours? Sure, you can. What most people don’t realize is, that it’s normal to feel hungry, and thirsty, at the same time. So, most of the time it might not even be that you’re hungry. Instead, you just need to chug some water.
Research also shows it’s normal for our stress hormone, cortisol, to drop off in the afternoon, which starts preparing your system for sleep. It has also been proven that we particularly feel snacky around this time just because we’re bored and it turns into a habit, according to Australian nutritionist Kathryn Hawkins.
What are the alternatives?
Luckily for you, there are options that can help you be the most iconic man possible. Below is a list of the top five healthy snacks for fast weight loss to help fight a junk food sabotage:
This is the ideal nutritious snack. Nuts can help reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent a number of cancers, depression and other diseases. Although they’re high in fat, they help you feel full quickly, so you don’t need to eat too many to satisfy your food cravings. In fact, some studies have suggested that eating nuts in moderation can contribute to weight loss.
Not only is this a delicious snack, it is also packed with nutrients. It is high in calcium, potassium and protein. Add the berries and now you have antioxidants added to your snack. Just combine 3.5 oz (or 100 grams) of plain full-fat Greek yogurt with half a cup of your favorite mixed berries provides and enjoy this natural sweet snack for less than 150 calories!
If you don’t like to just eat a plain apple, that’s OK. Add some peanut butter to the mix for flavor! Apples are high in fiber and polyphenol antioxidants that can contribute to a healthier gut and reduce your risk of heart disease. Peanut butter, similarly, has heart health benefits, with studies showing an increase in HDL cholesterol and reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Combined, apples and peanut butter make the perfect snack. Just take it easy on the peanut butter - it’s high on calories!
If you’re looking for something a little more savory, try roasting a can of chickpeas. They’re salty and crunchy like chips, the only difference is that they’re not made with unhealthy oils (such as Canola oil) and can easily squash your appetite with their high protein and fiber content. Drain and rinse your chickpeas. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon (or two of ground cumin or smoked paprika for more flavor). Once you’ve tossed them with the ingredients, place them on a baking sheet and bake them at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes (you can leave them in a little longer if you like them crunchy). Eat away!
This is a great light snack, especially for a man who’s on the go frequently. If you would like something a little lighter or greener, try some hummus with veggies. Veggies are a high-nutrient food to pair with hummus, which is made with boiled, mashed chickpeas. Chop some veggies - carrots, celery, cauliflower - and put some hummus on the side to dip them.
It’s normal to have cravings, especially if you are running around all day and are quickly burning through your lunch calories. Make sure you’re eating enough and drinking plenty of water - don’t forget that your brain can easily confuse thirst for hunger! Try some of these healthy snacks before reaching out for the doughnuts and bags of chips, those won’t get you closer to your weight loss goals. And remember, healthy snacks pave the way for an iconic man with an iconic diet! Check out our article on “What Should Men eat to lose Weight” and start getting fit today.
Comment below, if you have suggestions for other healthy snack alternatives.
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