Meal times aren’t the only parts of the day when hunger can hit you. In between meals, everyone gets a craving for something to munch on while they go about their day. It can be very easy to give in to your cravings for something savory like potato chips, or something sweet like a donut. It can be easy for the sugar, fat, and extra calories to add up when you don’t pay attention to what you choose to snack on. Luckily, your snacks don’t have to screw up your diet; there are plenty of alternatives to these types of unhealthy snacks that are equally delicious.
Kale Chips
A great alternative to potato chips laden with sodium and saturated fat, kale chips are quick and easy to make and are sure to satisfy your crunch fix. Simply chop up some washed kale, dress with olive oil, lightly season, and toss them in the oven. Instead of consuming starchy carbs and saturated fat, you’ll be providing your body with protein, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Blueberries
Trying to curb that chocolate bar craving? Choose different sweet snack instead. Blueberries make for a delicious sweet snack and are easy to take along with you due to their small size. They also tend to be less messy than leaky berries such as raspberries or blackberries. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and there’s evidence that eating blueberries helps fight aging and boosts brain health.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips
You can satisfy your sweet tooth and your crunchy craving at the same time. Sweet potato chips are simple to make and taste delicious. All you need to do is slice up some sweet potatoes, dress in olive oil, add some seasoning, and bake them in the oven. Sweet potatoes are often considered a super food thanks to their high content in potassium, protein, and fiber.
Cashews
Eating nuts in general is a great alternative to other crunchy snacks that are usually loaded with salt and packed with trans fat. Cashews are especially nutrient dense, packing loads of potassium and a good amount of protein per serving.
Protein or Nutrition Shake
Swapping out a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack with a small protein shake nutrition shake is a great way to feel full while replacing sugar and fat for protein and vitamins. Bringing along a nutrition mix and your Helimix shaker cup is a convenient way to quickly whip up a satisfying snack. Plus, you can easily drink while going about your other daily tasks.
Swapping to healthier snacks may seem like a bit of a challenge compared to the convenience of office vending machines, but that small amount of extra effort will help keep your energy up and boost your progress at the gym. Don’t discount the value of allowing yourself a couple cheat snacks throughout your week, but building healthy snack habits can be the key to making that next step in your progress.
