Top Ten Snacks for Weight Loss

Snacking has a bad reputation. But if you are trying to lose weight, snacking can really help as long as you do it right. By eating three meals a day and two snacks, or five small meals a day, you will keep your energy levels up, your blood sugar levels even and your metabolic rate high.

The right snacks will help your body burn fat and will stop you from binge eating. They will also provide you with necessary nutrients so that you aren't consuming empty calories.

So here are the top ten snacks for weight loss (all calorie contents are approximate).

1. 1 medium apple sliced with 1 tbsp unsalted peanut butter (170 calories).

2. 2 brown rice cakes (9g each) with 1 tbsp unsalted almond butter and ½ medium banana (220 calories).

3. 2 oatcakes and 2 tbsp hummus (170 calories).



4. ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt, 1 tbsp honey and ½ medium banana (185 calories).

5. ¾ cup whole wheat cereal and ½ cup 1% milk (150 calories).

6. ¼ cup (about a handful) of raw unsalted mixed nuts (160 calories).

7. Red berry oatmeal smoothie (half a banana, ½ cup 1% milk, five strawberries, ten raspberries, ¼ cup dry oatmeal) (215 calories).

8. Chopped vegetables (1 carrot, 2 celery stalks and 6 cauliflower florets) and 1 tbsp French dressing (140 calories).

9. Home made popcorn made from 1 cup corn kernels and 2 tbsp vegetable oil (20 calories - serves the whole family!)

10. ½ cup edamame (120 calories).

So next time you need a snack, try one of these healthy options. By eating nutritious snacks between meals you will ward off hunger pangs, keep your energy levels high, and be well on your way to achieving the perfect figure.



Esther Schultz is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. She writes regularly about nutrition and weight loss at eat2bslim.com [http://www.eat2bslim.com] where you can find out how to eat your way to the perfect figure.

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