Most of us love to snack on junk food, and frankly it isn’t difficult to understand why. It’s hard to resist the mouthwatering taste of sugary, salty, and fatty snacks, even if we know that they can damage our bodies and make us pile on the pounds.
For instance, I love French fries smothered in ketchup, but fries are one of the unhealthiest snacks on the market, containing salt, saturated fat, and empty carbohydrates that break down quickly and leave me feeling low. Onion rings top the no-no list as well; deep-fried batter is tasty but deadly. Donuts are delicious, but not very nutritious. Pizza can do wonders for our taste buds, but our hips, thighs, and waistlines end up suffering, and we can’t forget those assorted bags of chips!
Am I making you hungry yet? Well, it’s time to forget about these sinful snacks and replace them with Mother Nature’s menu of delectable treats!
Unsalted macadamia nuts are rich in flavor and they contain essential fatty acids. Macadamias are also known as a high-energy snack, packed with protein, dietary fiber, calcium, and they contain no cholesterol! I usually munch on a handful between lunch and dinner; they fill me up and keep me going strong for the rest of the afternoon. Many health food stores also sell bags of raw mixed nuts, for those who like a little variety.
Homemade fruit salads are extremely easy to make, strawberries, kiwi fruit, and bananas go really well together. This combo takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and is loaded with nutrients. All of these fruits contain fructose, a natural sugar that promotes healthy digestion and helps to keep the weight off. Pick any three of your favorite fruits, mix ‘em up and enjoy!
Garden salads may take longer to prepare, but I personally think they’re worth the extra few minutes. My favorite salad recipe contains romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, fresh white mushrooms, artichoke hearts, avocado slices, and the optional green onion. Top these veggies with your favorite vinaigrette dressing and dig in without feeling guilty!
Until I started researching nutritional value, I never realized just how many healthy snack foods were available in my neighborhood. I generally try to walk to the store with Sukey and load up on natural goodies, it makes me feel like I’m doing two good things for my mind and body.
The hardest part involved with eating healthy is taking that first step to just say no to unhealthy foods. It’s difficult, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Healthy snacking is now a way of life for me, and it can be for you too!
Health and love,
Summer
I munch on pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts and cashews.
Yummy! I’ve got a trick using pure and healthy product, though.
It’s very simple: sprinkle the Resveratrol powder to your fave salad, and that’s it! An instant healthy food!
I agree that it is hard to resist pizza, fries and chips! It satisfies my hunger but come to think of it, there’s no chance that I can burn the fats since I am too lazy to work out. Now, I’m trying to avoid these kinds of snacks and change it to healthier food.
@ lazybeks,
Haha! I don’t think there’s such a thing as being too lazy to work out though, it starts with the smallest things… like taking walks! I think starting out with walks is a much more natural way to get your fitness and stamina back, instead of jumping head first into a tough exercise routine.
Almonds, cashews and pecans are some of my favorite nuts, and they all go great on a salad
Healthy eating in general will not just take those unhealthy fats off your belly; it also gives a positive energy, and a clearer mind which I think the most important.
Will putting resveratrol powder on pizza make it healthy?
Nice post, Summer!
I used to crave for meaty and oily food. When I started my vegetarian diet, though, I realized the great changes in my body. My taste buds don’t want any unhealthy food anymore.
@leyzbeks – there’s a vegetarian pizza available in italian restau. you gotta try it.
@Summer: You are right. When I read your post I started walking and a little bit of jogging. Hmmm… What I am working out now is having a research of healthy vegetarian food
@Josh: I can’t resist an All Cheese Pizza. Maybe, I need to try vegetarian Pizza . How I wish my taste buds won’t reject the taste.
I tried cutting out sweets from my diet but it just did not work. A friend of mine recommended VitaTops as a healthy snack solution and I am totally hooked. They are delicious! Only 100 calories and they are full of nutrients so you stay full and satisfied. My favorite kind is the triple chocolate chunk
Everyone check them out! http://www.vitalicious.com/store-vitatops.html