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Stomach grumbling? Instead of reaching for the sweet treats, here are seven guilt-free snacks to curb your hunger.
When your stomach’s grumbling it’s so tempting to reach for a pack of chips, a tub of ice cream, or even to rush out to your nearest fast food restaurant.
But before you go destroying your diet due to a grumbling tum, know that there are plenty of guilt-free snacks to satisfy those cravings and keep your stomach full. That way, you don’ have to worry about packing on the extra pounds or consuming ingredients that are no good for you!
Want to learn how to snack healthy? These seven guilt-free nibbles will leave your stomach satisfied and bloat-free. Winning!
1. Banana and Peanut Butter
With their high fiber content, bananas will keep your tum full and are only around 100 calories each. Plus, they’re packed full of potassium.
Pile on a tablespoon of peanut butter to give it more flavor, and you can reap the benefits of its satiating healthy fats. Be careful not to go overboard though! While peanut butter is both delicious and healthy, you can easily chow down hundreds of calories if you don’t watch your portions.
2. Popcorn
You may be used to wolfing down the popcorn at the movies – but it was likely doused in butter and salt, or full of sugar and caramel.
For a healthy and guilt-free version, make popcorn yourself and skip the unhealthy toppings.
While it may not be as tasty as the cinema options, unseasoned popcorn is low in calories and fat. It also contains plenty of fiber to keep you fuller for longer.
If you can’t handle plain popcorn, try adding a drizzle of olive oil and herbs to liven it up.
3. Nuts
While many nuts are high in fat and calorie content, there are plenty of yummy options that can help in weight loss. These include favorites such as Brazil nuts, walnuts, and almonds.
Brazil nuts contain a decent amount of selenium which promotes a healthy metabolism.
Walnuts are high in polyunsaturated fats, which helps lessen belly fat. And almonds can help aid weight loss when incorporated in a calorie-restricted diet.
As always, watch your portion sizes when it comes to munching on nuts. To avoid eating too many, pre-measure before you start to snack.
4. Hummus and Carrot Sticks
While most of our favorite dips are full salt and calories, hummus is both a healthy and delicious option.
The dip, crafted from chickpeas, is a staple in the Mediterranean diet which is renowned as being very healthy.
As chickpeas are packed with protein, hummus will keep your stomach satisfied after you snack. Grab some crunchy carrot sticks to dip in to complete the healthy snack.
5. Greek Yogurt with Berries
You may be used to eating Greek yogurt for breakfast, but this creamy treat works fantastic as a healthy snack too.
While it may taste like a decadent pudding, Greek yogurt is rich in protein and low in calories, so you can tuck into a bowl without feeling guilty.
Jazz up your yogurt with a drizzle of honey and a scattering of yummy berries for that fiber boost.
6. Dark Chocolate
Believe it or not, but chocolate makes the list! However, when choosing a scrummy chocolate bar, it must be dark chocolate to be considered healthy.
Dark chocolate is jam-packed with antioxidants, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease. To reap the best benefits, opt for a bar that’s over 70% cacao.
Don’t gobble the whole bar down in one go, either. Take small bites and try to make it last a few snack times.
7. Cereal
Cereal isn’t just for the morning, it’s also a great snack for those times you experience hunger pangs.
Depending on the variety you choose, a bowl of cereal with low-fat milk can be a super healthy option. Just be careful to avoid the high-sugar, high-fat boxes – stay away from the fruit loops and cinnamon toast crunch!
Seek out cereal with less than six grams of sugar and at least three grams of fiber per ¾-1 cup serving for the best health benefits. For added flavor and nutritional boost, chuck in a couple of juicy berries.
It’s Time to Snack!
With these guilt-free snack options, you don’t need to worry about piling on the weight or consuming too many fats and sugars. Snack away until your stomach is satisfied! Want to improve your snacking habits even further? Check out our seven mindful eating exercises!
