The Word on Weightloss

If you want to lose weight, you should eat less often, right?  Wrong.  Losing weight does not have to mean feeling deprived of food.  Healthy snacking throughout the day is essential to any weight loss program. 

The key is to think in advance about your snacks and plan healthy snacking alternatives to the unhealthy snacks that you crave. Healthy snacking helps you keep your energy going throughout the day and helps manage your daily calories keeping you focused on your weight loss target. This combined with three healthy balanced meals and a regular exercise plan is one of the best ways to lose weight.

Stay away from simple carbohydrates (sugars) that are in candy, soda, and potato chips. Instead, choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads, brown rice, or whole grain cereals, and combine with something high in protein such as peanut butter or low fat dairy products.  Below are some healthy and quick snack ideas from self.com:

Craving something salty?

Pack these smart snacks up and store them in the fridge at home or work. All under 200 calories and containing good nutrients, they'll keep you going throughout the day while adhering to your weight loss plan.

• 5 olives (45 calories)
• 2 slices of turkey wrapped around 2 pickles (80 calories)
• ¼ cup hummus and 3 carrot sticks (80 calories)
• 1 pacakage of tuna jerky (90 calories)
• 1 oz mozzarella, ½ c. tomatoes (94 calories)
• 1 bag baked Cheetos 100-calorie mini bites (100 calories)
• 1 cup edamame (120 calories)
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds (143 calories)
• 1 Subway turkey breast wrap (190 calories)

Craving something sweet?

Reach for these smart snacks, all under 200 calories per serving. You can keep them at your desk, in your backpack or briefcase or grab on the run...making them an easy way to stick to your weight loss program.

• 1 Jelly Belly 100-calorie pack (100 calories)
• 1 Balance Bar (100 calories)
• 1 Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino bar (120 calories)
• ½ banana rolled in 1 tbsp frozen semisweet chocolate chips (123 calories)
• 1 bag Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop Butter Mini Bags topped with butter spray and 1 tsp sugar (126 calories)
• Half of a 1.08 oz container of M&M Minis mized with 1/3 cup lowfat granola (145 calories)
• 1 McDonald’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait (160 calories)
• 1 container Greek 2% fat yogurt, 2 tsp honey (173 calories)