Back
8 HEALTHY SNACKS TO GET YOU THROUGH YOUR DAY
Bored, nervous, stressed, happy... If you are anything like me, you're always looking for excuses to eat throughout the day. It can be very tempting to grab a bag of crisps from the vending machine, however having healthy snacks on-hand at the office is key for staying focused and fuelled when you need it most. The best choices tend to be high protein snacks to keep your hunger pangs at bay, pair with some fresh fruit or veggies and you have yourself an all round nutritious mini-meal! These 8 healthy, low-sugar snacks will help keep your energy levels up and your blood sugars stable during your daily slump.
Boiled Egg
Eggs are rich in several nutrients that promote heart health such as betaine and choline. They are also a useful source of Vitamin D which helps to protect bones. They are a great snack to have during the day as they don’t require much effort to prepare and they are a great source of inexpensive, high quality protein, which will help to keep you feeling full for longer.
Berries
Berries are low in calories and extremely nutritious which makes them a great snack choice. Berries are particularly high in Vitamin C and Manganese. Vitamin C is essential for the production of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) which gives you the ability to focus, concentrate and remember… exactly what you need when you’re nodding off during your 3pm meeting. One cup of strawberries provides an astonishing 150% of the RDI for Vitamin C!
Hummus and Vegetables
The Mediterranean diet (which frequently includes hummus ingredients such as chickpeas, olive oil and tahini) has been adopted by many for its anti-inflammatory benefits; inflammation is thought to be the root cause of many chronic diseases. If it’s home-made or quality store-bought then hummus is a great healthy snack. Chickpeas are good source of plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates steadily provide the body with energy and do not cause your blood sugar levels to spike. This will help to keep those mid-afternoon cravings under control.
Nuts
Nuts are inexpensive, easy to store and great for when you are on the go. Besides being packed with protein, nuts contain heart-healthy nutrients such as unsaturated fats and omega 3's which help to lower your bad cholesterol levels. One drawback to nuts is that they're high in calories, so it's important to limit portions to one small handful.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt, especially the Greek variety is very high in protein and has been shown to influence appetite control and delay the feeling of hunger. Certain types of yoghurt also contain probiotics which contribute to a healthy gut by reducing GI disorder symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. It is a common protein snack you will see both body-builders and slimming models consume. However, be aware that many yoghurts labelled ‘low fat’ contain high amounts of added sugar. Therefore, it’s important to read the label and choose brands that do not have sugar listed in the ingredient - low fat is NOT necessarily healthy.
Under 200 calories, no added sugar & 9g of protein the Slender Bar contributes to the maintenance of muscle. These healthy protein bars are gluten free (with the exception of the cookie and cream flavour) with choices in 3 delicious flavours.
Seeds such as sunflower and sesame provide you with a powerful nutritious boost as they contain high levels of Omega 3, a full profile of amino acids plus vitamins A, B, C and E. They are so nutrient dense - just a tablespoon or two a day is more than enough. Check out our Super Seed Power Bar as an ideal homemade, nutritious snack to have at home - or on the go!
Dark Chocolate
Who says you can’t be healthy and eat chocolate? Admittingly this isn't a protein snack, but a bit of chocolate a day is essential to keep me happy at least.. Cocoa has free radical fighting abilities which are unbalanced compounds created by cellular processes and environmental toxins. Antioxidants within the cocoa neutralize free radicals and protect against their damage. Unfortunately for those milk chocolate lovers this does not apply to dairy milk or galaxy bars (laiden with sugar). The darker the chocolate the more antioxidants and better for you it is, so aim for 80% cocoa and above!
Looking for healthy snacks for weight loss? We've got just the thing. Click here!
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
