You obey your diet, as you conscientiously eat low calorie meals, yet you can’t seem to lose any weight. The reason for this, is because of the seemingly healthy snacks you consume, may not really be helping the weight loss effort.
What you focus on is diligently planning your meals, but usually disregard the snacks which are consumed in between the meals.
These snacks also appear to be healthy, but usually aren’t, which then completely sabotages your efforts.
Losing weight is about knowing the proper portions, proper intake, reading the ingredient labels properly, and healthy snacking.
So know which of the popular “diet” snacks, aren’t that healthy.
9. Succulent Smoothies
Smoothies appear to be an excellent healthy snack for those on the go. They’re filling, tasty, loaded with healthy fruits and vegetables. Know all smoothies aren’t the same.
Some smoothies are lightweight enough, so you can go on a 10k run without any affect.
But realize most smoothies are a meal, since they’re loaded with sugar, carbs, and calories.
The key isn’t giving up on smoothies, but knowing which are healthy.
The ones available in restaurants for instance, contain around 200 calories to begin with, while some can be as high as 500 calories.
What’s recommended is making your smoothies at home, carefully selecting what you put in them, such as natural sugars and produce.
8. Those “Fat-free” Labelled Snacks
Once a label says “fat free,” what we think is great, I can snack on this without worry of gaining weight. This is a ploy by the manufacturers of products, such as candy.
It says “Fat Free,” but what most contain is 100% refined sugar, gelatin and food colouring.
They also contain zero nutrients. Just because they don’t contain any actual fat, doesn’t mean it won’t convert to fat.
Avoid the snacks which are labelled “fat free” on candy, pudding, pretzels, or potato chips, etc.
Make sure you read the list of ingredients, and it’s nutritional value. Then make your own decision on how healthy it is.
Also know all fats aren’t bad, such as Omega-3, coconut oil or avocado, which all provide healthy fats your body needs.
7. Those “Gluten-Free” Snacks
Everyone appears to want the gluten-free diet, as its popularity has skyrocketed. The problem is this diet is geared towards those who has a gluten allergy or intolerance, such as celiac disease.
Yet, there’s some who’ll lose weight from cutting out gluten, while it’s not an actual diet. Somehow, “gluten free” makes one think it’s healthy.
Most of the gluten-free substitutes are processed with low nutritional value, while being high on the glycemic index.
What’s known is high glycemic foods are less filling, which leads to overeating and snacking. What’s recommended is just ignoring gluten-free labelled foods altogether as a diet.
6. Marvellous Muffins
Muffins has become an accepted “healthy” morning food. But realize the common muffin, especially if it’s store or coffee shop bought, usually contains more calories than a cupcake does.
So all of those seemingly healthy muffins you’ve been eating, thinking you’re maintaining your weight, is no better than eating a slab of cake.
The key becomes making your own muffins using healthy ingredients, as they can be a nutritious snack.
Instead of using refined sugar and fats, substitute them with bananas or applesauce.
Then those muffins will be around 100 calories each, all while still keeping its flavor and texture.
5. Cereal Bars
What’s convenient in the morning are cereal bars, as they appear healthy. Most claim they’re an excellent low calorie snack when you’re in a hurry.
What many don’t realize is they’re loaded with refined sugar and preservatives, and can contain as many calories as the common chocolate bar. So there must be a better choice.
What’s recommended instead are homemade oat bars, which can be made the night before.
These oat bars are healthy, since you control exactly what you put in them, such as nuts, fruit, chia seeds, and almond milk.
Add in all the ingredients with a bit of honey and place in a jar, and leave in the fridge overnight. Then the next morning, mix and eat.
4. Trail Mix
You’re thinking since nuts are healthy because of their protein content, a handful of trail mix is an excellent snack. What they also contain are high amounts of (healthy) fat and calories.
But once dried fruit is laced with refined sugar, or chocolate is added, they become a fatty snack.
What just half a cup of generic store bought trail mix contains, is around 350 calories along with 22 grams of fat.
Instead, try roasted chickpeas, as they can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as adding cinnamon or chipotle.
What they contain are the same protein and that crunch you like, while just containing around 135 calories per half cup.
3. Granola Not Great
Since granola sounds healthy, it’s become a popular topping on yogourt, or added to skim milk for a quick snack. The problem is its portions are small, while being high in calories.
Just one half cup of granola with skim milk can contain 350 calories. It’s poor nutritionally as well. What the store bought variety often contains, are refined sugar and trans fat.
The easiest substitute for granola are instant oats, or if you want something crunchy, try a hemp or chia seed mix, which are guaranteed to keep you full for longer.
Coconut flakes are also an excellent substitute you can add to your Greek yogurt.
2. Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn seems like a light filling snack, so its become popular in the mid afternoon or evenings after dinner, while sitting down to watch TV.
What’s convenient is microwave popcorn, but know this particular method, is loaded with artificial flavors.
One bag can contain up to 400 calories, which becomes a meal in itself. So if you insist on popcorn, choose the air popped kind instead.
When prepared properly, what it contains is around 20 calories per cup, then you can dress it up in healthy ways.
Try sea salt, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, pickle juice or hot sauce, which are all excellent ways to flavor it up.
1. Flavoured Yogurts
Most think yogurt is the perfect diet snack. It’s sweet, filling, and easily available once you need a fix.
Know the common flavoured store bought yogurts, are full of artificial sweeteners and flavouring, including plenty of sugar.
Most also contain fruit puree instead of real fruit, which strips out the nutrients such as Vitamin C.
Instead, choose plain Greek yogurt as an alternate. It’s healthier and more filling, while containing more than twice the protein of the flavoured yogurt variety.
What the protein will do is fill you up until your next meal. You can easily dress it up by adding your own fresh fruit or honey.
Since it’s unflavoured and unsweetened, it can also be a replacement for sour cream or mayonnaise.