Who doesn’t love snacks? They are our snack, they save us from starvation when we are too busy, and from boredom when the movie is bad. They are necessary during night vigils dedicated to learning. But they can very easily turn against us. With a small amount of nutrients and a bunch of empty calories, they not only reduce our energy levels, but also make us fat.
Before you go for chips or chocolate, think about throwing out these little pleasures, try our 8 ideas. They will fill the gap in your schedule and stomach, without losing energy or figure.
POPCORN
The champions among snacks that are delicious and do not gain weight are definitely popcorn. In addition to being low in calories and extremely easy to prepare, they are very rich in fiber which is essential for good digestion. Of course, we are not talking about popcorn with cheese and butter, but classic popcorn. One serving of these has no more than 100 calories and 1 gram of fat. To add a fat-free flavor, try sprinkling them with any of your favorite spices.
ALMONDS
Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts and are especially good for snacking in the late hours. About 30 grams of almonds contain 160 calories and provide 6 grams of protein that will saturate you for a long time. Protein is key to losing abdominal fat, and almonds are a great choice because, in addition to protein, they contain almost all the nutrients needed for fast and healthy fat burning. They contain magnesium to help relax muscles and vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus and iron, making them a great choice for those exposed to intellectual effort. Also, almonds contain tryptophan, an amino acid that supports sleep and can help you fall asleep.
HOMEMADE VEGETABLE CHIPS
Instead of reaching for a bag of processed snack saturated with fat and sodium, make your own low-calorie chips from carrots, potatoes or kale. All you need are selected vegetables, a little oil and salt. The best part of it all is that, given that you prepare them at home, you can adjust the amount of salt and even add other spices.
CARROT FRIED WITH PARMESAN
Baked carrot sticks sprinkled with fresh parmesan and basil will win you over with their taste and low-calorie content and become a serious competition to classic french fries. You can prepare other vegetables in a similar way.
CHEESE STICKS
Cheese, like almonds, is a great choice for a snack before bed. Similar to them, cheese contains tryptophan which can help you fall asleep, and it is also rich in proteins that will help when you feel midnight hunger. If you do not want to eat it alone, add some raw vegetables: peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers.
YOGHURT WITH FRUIT OR HONEY
If you are in the mood for something sweet, yogurt with fruit is the best option. Speaking of fruit yogurt, we are targeting a plain or Greek type of yogurt to which you can add forest or other fruit. Buying flavored yogurts usually contain large amounts of sugar and artificial sweeteners. In addition to protein, classic yogurt also contains potassium, one of the key minerals for the proper functioning of the heart and kidneys. For a naturally sweet taste, add raspberries and strawberries rich in vitamins and fiber or honey.
DRIED FRUIT
The options are numerous when it comes to dried fruit. Be your own master: choose what you love; bananas, grapes, plums, apricots or apples and chop them into cubes or rings. Arrange them on cotton gauze and leave to dry. Then put such fruit in paper bags. You can eat these delicious snack at any time of the day, even at “forbidden” times, in the evening.
MUFFINS WITH “NUTELL” AND BANANA
Yes, it is possible to make a low-calorie muffin that includes “Nutella” and bananas. For the dough you will need two bowls of protein powder with flax seeds and Greek yogurt. These cakes are delicious and full of antioxidants and fiber. Grab one whenever you get a craving for sweet.
