Healthy snacks for healthy living
TonyRobinson

Snacking is one of those issues that can wreck the best laid
plan for healthier eating. Everyone wants a snack now and then,
but the key is to make those snacks healthy and nutritious as
well as delicious.

There are many great snacks that can be enjoyed guilt free. For
instance choosing snacks from whole grain products, fruits and
vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat and nuts can be a
great way to satisfy your craving without destroying your diet.

The world of grain and whole grain products contain a great many
healthy snacks, including whole grain breads (wheat bread and
rye bread are great choices), whole what bagels, wholesome
tortilla shells, pita bread and whole grain cereals.

The all important vegetable and fruit food group contains so
many ideas for healthy snacks that it would be impossible to
list them all here. Some of the best, tastiest and easiest fresh
fruit and vegetable snacks include baby carrots or carrot
slices, bit size vegetables such as broccoli florets, radishes
and green peppers, fresh vegetable and fruit juice and fruit
salads.

For a quick and easy fruit salad, try this five minute recipe.
Open a can of mandarin oranges and pour it into a bowl, making
sure to capture all the delicious juice as well. Cut up a
banana, an apple and a nectarine and add them to the bowl. Add
some strawberries, blueberries and raisins for extra taste and
color, and serve.

Of course fresh fruit also makes a great snack on its own.
Snacking on apples, bananas and oranges is a great way to eat
healthy and still enjoy delicious snacks. Keeping a bowl of
delicious fruit on the table or the coffee table is a great way
to encourage the entire family to eat healthier.

The milk and dairy products food group also contains many
healthy snack items, including low fat and nonfat yogurt, skim
milk, low fat puddings, cheeses and even chocolate milk.

Low fat cuts of prepared meats and low fat varieties of lunch
meats make great snacks as well. Sandwiches made with whole
grain bread and low calorie spreads like mustard can be a great
treat any time of day or night.

Canned tuna (packed in water of course), peanut butter, eggs and
egg substitutes, poultry, nuts and beans are also excellent
choices for healthy snacks.

When creating healthy snacks, it is important to limit the
consumption of high fat foods, and foods high in salt and
sodium. Instead of buying snacks in the snack aisle of the
grocery store, try making your own using some of the suggestions
listed above.

For added variety, try combining several different healthy
snacks in unexpected ways. For instance, try spreading peanut
butter on pita bread, or use it as a fun dip for apple slices.
Or top a whole grain English muffin with tuna and cheese. Place
it in the broiler for a few minutes and enjoy a healthy and
delicious snack.

Other good ideas for quick and healthy snacks include pairing
fresh fruit with nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, adding fresh
fruit slices to cereal, and using fresh fruit and fruit juices
to make delicious smoothies.

To perk up bagels that are getting a little stale, try slicing
them into thin pieces and arranging them on a baking sheet.
Brush them with some low fat salt free butter or margarine, some
garlic powder and bake them for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.
This is a great way to make your own inexpensive and healthy
bagel chips without the preservatives or extra sodium found in
the store bought variety.

There are of course many other types of healthy snacks, and
their variety is only limited by your creativity. It is
important to make a variety of healthy snacks, and keep them
readily at hand. Replacing all those unhealthy snacks with
healthier alternatives is one of the best ways to keep snack
cravings from sidetracking your healthy eating goals.

About the author:

Tony Robinson is a Company CEO, webmaster husband and dad. In
his busy lifestyle he has placed importance on health and
fitness. Visit http://www.eat-healthily.com for good eating tips
and techniques to assist you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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