Snacking and weight loss feel like the ultimate oxymorons. For anyone who is trying to lose weight, the first thing you are asked to do is to stop snacking in between your meals. What if we told you that there are some excellent weight loss foods which are healthy and tasty. In fact, some of them may even boost the results of your healthy diet plan. Here is a list of 21 such healthy foods and snacks for weight loss. These will keep all those hunger pangs at bay and help you get fitter and slimmer. Scroll down to know more about them.
Weight loss foods
- Fruit Bowl
This low-calorie snack is a go-to for anyone who is looking to shed a few extra pounds.
A bowl of assorted fruits is tasty and loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals. The fiber from fresh fruits also keeps you satiated for longer, preventing binging.
You can enhance the nutritional benefits of your fruit bowl with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds. This gives you a protein top-up that also supports your strenuous weight loss workout.
- Sprouts Salad
Sprouts are one of the best healthy snacks for weight loss. They are a good source of protein and fiber. They are also very versatile when it comes to preparing a healthy snack.
You can eat them boiled or raw. The latter is preferred as it retains the nutrients. Just mix up a bowl of your favorite sprouts, and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Top this with finely chopped onions and tomatoes and mix with a seasoning of salt and a dash of lemon. You may also boil the sprouts with some salt and consume them.
- Fiber Biscuits or Wheat Crackers
Having some fiber biscuits or wheat crackers in your bag comes very handy when those in-between meal hunger pangs strike. With refreshing green tea to wash them down, you also get an antioxidant boost while you enjoy a healthy snack.
The high fiber content of fiber biscuits and wheat crackers satiate you instantly. They also reduce cravings for sugary foods like cookies. To make them even healthier, dip them in some peanut butter before you take each bite.
- Tofu/Paneer with Stir-Fried Veggies
Tofu or paneer is a great source of protein that is why it is considered as a great snack for weight loss. When you add an assortment of veggies like capsicum, carrots, onions, and others to it, you also load up on important vitamins and minerals.
Stir fry the paneer and veggies in coconut oil or other plant-based oils as per your preference. They add healthy fats to the dish, giving you a wholesome, healthy, and low-calorie snack.
Adding some quinoa makes a complete meal that is high in protein content.
- Egg White Omelet
One of the easiest things to prepare when you are on the go, is an egg-white omelet that gives you between 6-12g of protein in each serving.
Eggs are also rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and B Vitamins and considered to be a healthy snack for weight loss. The high protein content is responsible for keeping you feeling satiated for longer as well. You can also make scrambled eggs or eat them boiled to add some variety to your meal plan.
- Oatmeal pudding
Cook some oatmeal in milk and let it cool down. Then, add your favorite toppings like dark chocolate chips, honey, fruits, dried fruits, or nuts. You can eat it cold or refrigerate it for a while to enjoy a tasty, cold pudding.
Oats are loaded with minerals like copper and selenium and are a rich source of fiber. They are best known for reducing the LDL cholesterol levels in the body, promoting better heart health. Of course, you feel fuller and can stay consistent on your healthy weight loss diet.
- Raw Veggies and Hummus
Hummus is a thick paste made with chickpeas and a generous amount of olive oil. The unique taste of hummus makes it one of the best dips for bread or veggies.
Raw veggie sticks like beetroot, carrots, and celery go perfectly well with hummus. You get a combination of protein, antioxidants like beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Not just that, it is very satiating for your taste buds as well.
- Banana and Peanut Butter
You may dip banana slices in peanut butter to make an instant energy-boosting snack. For those of you who love a bowl of ice cream, blend a few slices of frozen bananas with 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter to make a healthier version of it.
Banana is rich in potassium which is one of the best electrolytes. It also gives you a carb boost. When combined with protein-rich peanut butter, it makes the perfect pre-workout snack.
A bowl of muesli with peanut butter and banana completes the equation by adding much-needed fiber to keep you satiated and boost digestion.
- Yogurt and Berries
This is one of those healthy foods that also taste wonderful. Fresh creamy yogurt with a topping of sweet dried fruits or a smoothie made with these ingredients instantly calms your hunger pangs.
Yogurt is one of the best natural probiotics that boost your digestion. Additionally, it also contains a good amount of protein. With the addition of berries, you increase your antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral consumption to stay feeling more energized.
- Dry Fruit, Seeds, and Nuts Mix
This is another go-to snack that you can carry with you wherever you go. Mix your choice of dried fruits like cranberries or raisins with almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and others to make a healthy trail mix.
This is perfect when you need that quick protein boost after a good workout or in between your meals. The nutty taste and flavor and the protein content also make them extremely satisfying to eat.
- Protein Cereal
When you are in a hurry, cereal is the best choice for you. Just add some milk to it and it is ready to consume.
Choose a cereal that contains higher protein and fiber levels to get a good source of calories. Avoid ones that are sugary as they hinder the weight loss process by adding a lot of empty calories to your diet.
You can also mix in chia seeds, fruits, nuts, and other healthy foods to make cereals healthier and tastier.
- Roasted Chickpeas
Dry roasted chickpeas have a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. When you crave chips or other fried snacks, reaching out for roasted chickpeas is highly recommended.
They give you the same satisfaction without the unhealthy ingredients. In fact, chickpeas are among the highest sources of plant-based protein. Just a handful is enough to give your muscles that much-needed fuel to keep them going.
- Boiled Corn
You can boil some corn on the cob or boil corn kernels to make a healthy evening snack with your cup of green tea.
Corn is a very high source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Therefore, it is filling and nutritious, making sure that you do not have those nasty hunger pangs in between your meals.
- Chocolate Chia Pudding
Make a healthy, energizing snack with soaked chia seeds, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and a natural sweetener of your choice.
Just one cup can give you about 200 clean calories. This gives you a quick energy boost before a workout. Chia seeds are also a great source of heart-protecting and antioxidizing Omega-3 fatty acids. You get a good dose of protein with this healthy snack as well.
- Carrots with Creamy Salad Dip
Crunchy carrot slices with any creamy or cheese salad dip is a great choice for a snack. Now, you may wonder how a creamy or cheese dip can be counted among weight loss foods.
This combination makes it a healthy snack as the fats in the dip allow better absorption of beta-carotene which is the most important nutrient in carrots. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body from free radical damage. You also get a good source of Vitamin A and fiber with raw carrots.
- Cheese Slice
Cheese is a healthy dairy product that gives you a good combination of protein and calcium.
The trick is to choose the right timing for cheese slices when you are on a weight loss diet. Consuming it before your workout is a good idea. You can also consume it in between meals during the day to keep cravings for sugary and fatty foods at bay.
When consumed in low quantities, cheese actually gives you a boost of much-needed fats that improve the uptake of fat-soluble vitamins. This elevates your energy levels and also enhances several metabolic functions.
- Protein Shake
If you do not have the time to prepare a healthy snack for yourself, a ready-to-consume protein shake is the healthiest choice.
You can consume it between your meals to prevent catabolic muscle loss. Proteins also leave you feeling full, curbing those hunger pangs. These shakes come in a variety of flavors that also make them a tasty addition to your diet.
- Fruit or Vegetable Smoothie
A balanced diet is incomplete without a healthy smoothie that is easy to consume and concentrated in its nutrients.
Adding superfoods like berries, spinach, seeds, and others increase the nutrient density of smoothies. The best part is that you can consume them on the go and they take just a few minutes to prepare.
- Dried Coconut Slices
Plain, roasted, or dried coconut slices are a good idea when you feel a hunger pang coming in. They are delicious and have that perfect crunch that doesn’t make you miss those fried snacks.
Dried coconuts load your body with Omega-3 fatty acids that are known for their antioxidant properties and are a very healthy snack for weight loss. They also reduce cholesterol levels and improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Kale Chips
Mix some kale leaves with olive oil and salt. Then bake them in the oven till they become crispy. Your delicious and healthy kale chips are ready to eat.
The immunity-boosting properties of kale have made it one of the most popular superfoods world over. If you do not have kale leaves, you can try the same with spinach which offers a good amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals just like kale.
- Savoro Avocado Slices
Sliced avocados with some salt, chili powder, and olive oil are your go-to snack when you crave something tasty and wholesome.
Avocados are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E and are one of the best snacks for weight loss. Both these nutrients have amazing antioxidant properties that give you a range of health benefits.
Conclusion
So, the next time you feel a food craving, you have a list of delicious snacks that are a perfect fit with the best diet for weight loss and healthy eating. For healthy weight loss, eating a balanced diet with enough protein and fiber is very important. Plan to include some of these foods as meals and snacks in the upcoming weeks to help you achieve your weight loss goal in a healthy way. They are some of the healthiest and simple foods to add to your diet.
