Eating healthy can really take some work. After all, it's easier to grab a burger at a drive-in than to prepare fish and steamed vegetables. And when it comes to snacks, there are all sorts of tasty treats that will take anyone off the healthy trail. In this "Family Fitness" article, I will show you the snacks that will keep you lean, healthy and give real energy. But, I warn you, these snacks will not taste as good as a bag of your favorite chips or even one of those tasty health bars. If you're willing to eat some wholesome snacks for a healthy lifestyle, then you might be surprised at how you begin to enjoy the taste.
First, let's look at the snacks to avoid. Some of the snacks listed are worse than others, but all of them offer less overall energy than the healthy snacks listed. These also have more calories. Some of these snacks may surprise you.
Snacks to Avoid:
- Cookies of any type
- Chips of any type
- Granola bars
- Fitness energy bars
- White bread
- Carrots
- Fruit
- Candy
- Soda
- Fruit juice
- Nuts
- Seeds
Now for the snacks of choice. These snacks will digest better and be less fattening. While a fitness bar may have some energy to offer, it's nothing compared to these wholesome snacks.
Snacks for Performance:
- 2 to 4 Healthy Choice cheese sticks
- 4 or 5 whole-grain Melba rounds dipped in low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 slice OroWheat whole-grain diet bread with turkey deli slices
- 1 pop-up can of tuna fish with whole-grain Melba toast
- Broccoli or cauliflower snacks
- 1/2 cup shredded wheat squares with skim milk to drink
- 4 to 5 precooked chicken strips
There are not as many varieties of these healthy choices as there are the unhealthy ones, but your healthy snacks will go a long way and you will definitely feel better for it. Whole-grain carbohydrates and vegetables will give you long-term energy unlike the other higher glycemic choices. The small protein selections will feel good in your tummy and will help to stabilize your blood sugar. The bad snacks will put your blood sugar on an uncomfortable roller coaster that will leave you hungry and plunging for energy.
Finally, you won't eat these snacks if you don't get them. Plan for success! Stock your home or office refrigerator and pack your bags, it's time to snack healthy.
