Healthy snacks for healthy living
TonyRobinson

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:

Tony Robinson is a Company CEO, webmaster husband and dad. In
his busy lifestyle he has placed importance on health and
fitness. Visit http://www.eat-healthily.com for good eating tips
and techniques to assist you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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If you need to lose weight, there are many ways to help the process along. Use these top tips to help you lose a dress size quickly and easily even if youre a busy working woman. Take the time to make small changes each day. Youll be amazed at how quickly they all add up.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Drink Your Water: 6-8 glasses of water a day helps flush fat, sodium, and other toxins from the body. If waters not your style, try adding one of the new low calorie drink mixes for taste. Keep your body hydrated for optimum weight loss,

2. Eat Breakfast: People who eat healthy breakfasts eat less food throughout the day. Eat breakfast each day to jumpstart your weight loss. If youre rushed, try a smoothie or shake for a healthy on the go meal.

3. Eat Your Veggies: For meals and snacks, add extra fruits and veggies. These nutritional powerhouses help you feel full, without adding extra fat and calories. Try replacing one meal a day with a salad to boost nutrition and lower your calorie intake but avoid creamy dressings that pack on the calories.

4. Choose Healthy Snacks: Choose a healthy snack every few hours to help keep you from overeating at mealtimes. Try fruit and cheese, peanut butter crackers, or a handful of almonds. Try to choose snacks with protein theyll have more staying power.

5. Avoid Liquid Calories: You may be consuming more calories than you realize by loading up on soda, juice, or alcoholic beverages. Cut them from diet to lose that dress size quickly!

6. Aerobics Help: The best way to lose fat is by burning it through aerobic exercise. Add in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day (walking counts!) to lose weight.

7. Pack in Protein: Add protein to your meals and snacks to help you feel full longer. Protein provides energy for the long haul, so add peanut butter, low fat cheese, or lean meat to your meals to keep you feeling satisfied.

Making small changes on a daily basis can lead to consistent weight loss. These tips will jumpstart the diet process, and get you started on your journey to a healthier body and life. Remember, weight loss is a process. Begin making changes in your habits today, and youll have lost that dress size in no time!

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, nor should it be interpreted or substituted as medical advice. Prior to making changes to your physical exercise routine and your diet, you should always consult your personal physician. Better safe than sorry.

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