What is the Best Snack for Weight Loss?

There's nothing wrong with snacking, it's important to keep your mind and body energized and your metabolism working throughout the day. Women should have two to three 150-calorie snacks a day. But you want to make the right choice. It is best to have a mix of carbs for energy and protein and fiber (at least two grams) to keep you full. So what is the best snack for weight loss? Here are eight great low-calorie snacks that will work for you.



1. Instant trail mix

Mix a tablespoon of cashews, almonds or walnuts with a one-ounce serving of dried fruit like raisins, cherries or cranberries for a perfect mid morning snack. Walnuts are full of nutritious omega-3 fatty acids and this gives a perfect mix of carbohydrates, protein and fat. And it tastes great.



2. Carrot sticks and hummus

The carrot crunch and savory hummus delivers more energy and filling fiber than chips and there’s so few calories there too. Try celery sticks instead or as well as the carrots for a little variety.



3. Beef Jerky

Yes, Beef jerky is actually a very healthy snack. Who would have guessed? Each ounce of jerky contains around 12 grams of protein, roughly 1 gram of fat and about 70-80 calories, Be careful where you buy it though, the beef jerky from the regular grocery store tends to be high in sodium, so try the health food store.



4. Popcorn

Opt for the low-fat variety, avoid the butter or salt versions, check the label for fat and sodium content. Popcorn is ideal to stop your stomach from rumbling while not contributing to any weight gain. You can eat four whole cups for a snack and this will give you healthy whole-grain carbs, and fiber.



5. Low Fat Yogurt

This is a much better snack food ice cream. An 8-ounce cup of yogurt contains 2-3 grams of fat and around 150 calories. Check the label, some brands of fruit yogurt will be low in fat but high in sugar. Better to use plain yogurt and throw in a handful of blueberries, raspberries or similar.



6. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds contain a lot of the same good characteristics as nuts. Be sure to choose the low salt varieties.



7. Fruit Smoothies

A fruit smoothie can be a great snack but beware; it can also be a replacement for an entire meal, so use moderation. Be careful with the amount of sugar in there too, the wrong recipe could bump the calorie count up and up. From one of these you can get fruit, protein, fiber and dairy all in one delicious serving. And there are so many different recipes you can have a different one every day.



8. Water

OK so water isn’t a food, but I just had to put it in here because it could just be the most important choice you could make when you want a snack. Almost all of us don’t drink enough water, and some of the benefits we are missing out on are amazing. There are just too many to go into here but did you know that water improves digestion. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats require water in order to be broken down into their smaller, usable components. In order to ensure that your body is properly utilizing all of the nutrients from the foods you eat, you must ensure that your water intake is high. Water directly increases the fat burning metabolism and increased water consumption decreases water retention. So every time you feel like a snack drink a glass of water first!



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