Last Updated on May 18, 2017 by Jeff
Healthy people know that a good diet is the key to getting and staying in shape. Starving yourself with heavy restrictions may get you off to a fast start, but it’s not sustainable. It’s unhealthy and can make you very sick or lead to series injuries or illnesses. It can also make you feel sluggish and tired. Eating the proper amount each day will keep you full, healthy, and energized.
You should aim to eat three meals every day with two small snacks in between. Unfortunately, while many people may plan healthy meals, it’s way too easy to fall prey to unhealthy snacks. Bags of chips or doughnuts in the office are all to tempting, but they’ll leave you feeling unsatisfied and won’t give you the energy you need to make it to your next meal. Here are some healthy snack ideas to keep you energized all day.
Almonds
In general, nuts are full of healthy fats that your body needs to survive. Almonds are packed with filling protein as well as other nutrients like potassium, calcium and magnesium. Just be sure to watch your portion size, since the high fat content means that they are also high in calories.
Guacamole
Who doesn’t love guacamole? Skip the chips, though, and try one of these healthier options. You can replace a veggie dip or ranch dressing with guacamole for double the vegetables and lots of nutrients. In the mornings, you can spread guacamole on a piece of whole-wheat toast.
Fruit and Cheese
The warmer weather means more access to fresh product, including delicious fruits. Fruit and cheese is a healthy snack that can feel indulgent from the sweet fruit and creamy, salty cheese. However, fruit provides fiber and vitamins, while cheese has protein and calcium. Be sure you eat more fruit than cheese to limit the calorie count. Try strawberries, which are in season in many parts of the country in the spring. Melons have a high water content, which will help hydrate you, as well.
Peanut Butter & Banana on a Rice Cake
This is a great snack to eat before a workout. Choose a brown rice cake for complex carbohydrates to give you energy. Bananas contain potassium that will keep muscle cramps at bay while the peanut butter has protein that will help you feel full and prevent your energy levels from crashing after an hour.
Eggs
Eggs are a great protein-rich food. They contain all the essential amino acids that your body needs to get by eating foods. Protein keeps you full and helps you build muscle. You can put eggs on whole-wheat toast, scramble them, make an omelet, mix them with vegetables, make them into a burrito, fry them, or hard boil them for a portable snack.
Water
Okay, this one isn’t a snack, but it will help you feel more energized. A lot of times when you feel hungry, you’re actually feeling thirsty. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish and decrease your metabolism. Drink water consistently throughout the day to keep your energy up without any caffeine. You can add fruit and herbs like lemon, cucumber, strawberry, basil or mint for extra flavor.