here a guide of eating healthy snack from http://www.mayoclinic.com.
Choose healthy snacks
Select foods that satisfy your hunger, supply your body with energy and provide important nutrients. Here are some of your best snack picks:
- Whole grains. Whole-grain snacks are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which give you energy with staying power. Look for items such as low-fat whole-grain crackers, whole-grain pretzels and whole-grain crispbreads.
- Fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables provides a feeling of fullness with no fat and only a small number of calories. They also provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients.
- Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds provide protein, so you will feel fuller longer. They can be high in fat, but it's mostly monounsaturated, a healthy kind of fat. Nuts and seeds are high in calories, however, so don't eat them in large quantities.
- Low-fat dairy products. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are good sources of calcium and protein, plus many other vitamins and minerals. Dairy products can be high in fat, so choose the low-fat versions. Some yogurts have extra added sugar, so look for low-calorie or "light" varieties.
Though snacks can contribute to a healthy diet, they can also be a source of excess calories if not eaten in moderation. For example, a single serving of almonds (about 23 kernels, or a handful) contains 163 calories. But if you eat a cup of almonds, the calorie count jumps to 800-plus calories.
So what are your best choices? Here are several suggestions:
Weight-loss snacks | |
---|---|
Approximate number of calories | Food |
10 calories | 1 large stalk of celery |
25-30 calories | 1 cup raw vegetables 6 medium baby carrots |
60 calories | 2 cups air-popped or light popcorn 1 cup of cantaloupe or grapes 1 small can of vegetable juice |
100 calories | 1 cup sliced bananas and fresh raspberries 2 domino-sized slices low-fat Colby or cheddar cheese 1 fat-free chocolate pudding cup |
150 calories | 1/2 cup frozen, low-fat yogurt topped with 1/2 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced apples with 1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter 4 rye crispbread crackers |
200 calories | 1/4 cup dry roasted soy nuts (calories vary by brand) 1/3 cup granola 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup sliced fresh peaches |
Here is a pictorial guide from http://www.diet-blog.com to a selection of healthy snacks - and remember - healthy eating is not just about the number of calories*.
Raw AlmondsServing shown: 20 almonds
Calories: 139
Serving shown: 30g / ~1oz
Calories: 178
Serving shown: 40g / 1.4oz
Calories: 97
Note: Dried fruits are more calorie dense (per weight) than fresh fruit - and are easier to overeat.
Serving shown: 180g, 1 medium & 1 small.
Calories: 95
Note: Great packaging. Small portions. Seasonal
Serving shown: 185g / 6.5oz
Calories: 96
Serving shown: 1 medium banana - 118g
Calories: 105
Note: Nicely prepackaged.
Serving shown: 215g / 7.6oz
Calories: 148
Note: Seasonal
Serving shown: 85g / 3oz
Calories: 99
Note: Be wary of tuna in oil - many of the oils are vegetable oils (high in omega-6 rather than omega-3 EFA's).
Serving shown: 25g / .9oz
Calories: 72
Note: Find in bulk bins - often with different seasonings.
Serving shown: 2 cups
Calories: 62 (air-popped)
Calories:110 (oil-popped)
No condiments added.
Note: Avoid pre-packaged popcorn (often contains trans fat).
Serving shown: 170g / 6oz
Calories: 60
Note: Convenient - can buy pre-washed and pre-bagged.
Serving shown: 40g / 1.4oz hummus
Calories: 108
Note: Buy celery pre-cut and pre-washed. Goes well with many other dips.
Serving shown: 150g / 1 Cup
Calories: 27
Note: Seasonal.
Serving shown: 1 cracker + ~45g (1.5oz) cottage cheese (light)
Calories: 70
Note: Aim for crispbreads or crackers that are completely whole grain and have a minimal amount of oil.
80g / 2.8oz
Calories: 90