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When many of us were growing up, healthy eating meant three square meals a day, and anything in between would spoil your dinner. However, as the field of nutrition has developed, research has found that our bodies need those snacks throughout the day to keep at peak performance. The catch: those snacks should be healthy! Healthy, conscious snacking keeps your metabolic engine running smoothly all day, helping your body process and digest food constantly and in small amounts. This is much easier on your digestive system than trying to process three large meals. Incorporating healthy snacks can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your energy levels at their best.
Here are some of my favorite healthy snacks:
- Yogurt and Fruit
This is a great combination of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Greek yogurt or a non-dairy yogurt with fruit and flax seeds.
- Fruit & 10 Almonds
Fruit plus fat will sustain you and your blood sugar leaving you feeling satisfied.
- Smoothies
Smoothies, especially green smoothies, are a perfect snack, and a great addition to a weight loss plan because they can pack a big nutritional punch and are easy to digest. Adding avocados, spinach, or kale for major health benefits like vitamins and fiber, and throw in berries, apples, cherries, peanut butter, or bananas for protein and flavor.
- Vegetables and Hummus
- Oatmeal (little or no added sugar!)
Top with fruit or honey as a sweetener.
Here is one of my favorite smoothie recipes:
1 cup spinach
1 orange, peel removed
1 1/2 cups coconut water or coconut water kefir
1/2 banana
1 handful of parsley
5 mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Blend all the ingredients and consume.
Letting your car’s gas tank get to “E” before filling up strains the engine. The same goes for your body. Keeping healthy snacks on hand and as a part of your daily diet will keep your metabolism operating at its best. Enjoy!