What Snack Food is Healthy?
Snacks are a vital part of our daily diet. They give us the energy that we need in between meals and help keep our hunger at bay. However, what counts as a healthy snack? Depending on who you ask, you might receive VERY different answers! Here are a few options that may work for you:
Apples: You probably already know that apples are great for your health. As children, many of us were told an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and it is actually a very true statement. However, you may be surprised just how many benefits apples provide.
Did you know for example, that they can give you whiter, healthier teeth? Although you definitely won’t want to ditch the toothbrush, apples will help to limit the number of bacteria in the mouth and reduce tooth decay.
Most impressive, however, is the illness and disease prevention qualities of the fruit. Apples can reduce the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Grapes: If you’re looking for a sweet, juicy treat, I definitely recommend grapes. While all varieties are good for you, purple and red grapes contain the biggest health benefits. That’s because they contain something known as Resveratrol. While researchers are still determining exactly how beneficial Resveratrol is, it is known to protect the heart, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and improve brain function.
Tuna: Sometimes all you want is a savory snack and there appear to be very few healthy options out there. Tuna is typically considered more of a lunch than a snack. However, due to its high protein and healthy fat content, it can actually make a fantastic snack option.
You don’t need to use the full can, just half a can spread over whole-grain crackers, will help to fill you up. It is known to lower blood pressure, aid in development and growth, improve heart health, and increase energy levels.
Dr. Summit Shah has information about allergies and other health tips to help you live a healthier life.
Pretzels: Now, not all pretzels are healthy. The pre-packed store-bought pretzels, particularly the flavored variety, can contain exceptionally high salt and fat content. However, wholegrain pretzels are a healthy snack option and they provide plenty of significant benefits. They’re naturally low in fat, containing approximately just 3g of fat in every 100g serving. The majority of this fat content is also healthy fats, which are known to be awesome for the heart. Having good gut health is imperative as so far research has not found any effective medication for LPR so avoiding potential health issues with the right diet is the way to go.
Pretzels are also a great source of fiber, helping to keep the digestive system healthy. Just remember to choose wholegrain or unsalted pretzels if you want to benefit from its health-boosting properties.
Dates: Dates are one of the oldest snack foods in existence and theyíre super-healthy for the body. Its main nutrients are potassium, copper, and fiber. The only thing to be aware of is they are naturally very high in sugar. So, they really do need to be eaten in moderation.
Peanuts: Peanuts have long been a firm favorite in the nut family. However, theyíre often enjoyed salted or flavored in some way. If you want to get the true benefits from peanuts, youíre going to need to make sure you eat them raw. These nuts are especially high in energy and contain good levels of healthy fats.
Freezie pop: You can also make frozen fruit pops with any combination of flavors!
Which snack foods should be avoided?
So now you know which snack foods are considered to be healthy. Which ones should you be avoiding?
Besides the obvious cakes, biscuits, and chips, granola bars are one snack you’ll want to avoid. This is because most tend to contain really high levels of sugar. They are not as healthy as you think they are!
The above are just a small selection of snack foods that are healthy. Itís best to eat a variety of different snacks if you want to gain the most health benefits. Most require zero preparation too, so they are great to eat on the go.
Easy Snack Ideas
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