8 Healthy Snacks To Kill Your Cravings!
The next time you get the urge to reach for something sweet, grab one of these healthy snacks to help fuel your day without sabotaging your goals fitness.
Snacks are an often-overlooked part of many people's diets that can actually make or break your waistline. Whether you eat small meals every few hours or prefer three square plates a day, the bites you take between your scheduled eats are important. Choose the wrong types of snacks—that plate of chocolate-chip cookies in the lunch room—and your between-meal habit could quickly sabotage your buff-to-blubber ratio. However, if you have the right snacks available, you can curb cravings and have the energy you need to stay strong all day.
Be smart and pack your snacks ahead of time so that when the next craving hits—whether it's while you're sitting at your desk at work, running out the door, or during a late night at home—you'll be able to reach for healthy options you already have stored and ready to go!
Need ideas? Here are a few handy snack options from Team FitMiss to help you curb any craving and stay on track to your fitness goals!
1
Frozen Grapes
When you're hankering for a little something sweet, put some fruit on ice. "Frozen grapes are a simple way to crush midday sugar cravings," says trainer and bikini competitor Samantha Leete.
"When frozen, they're firm but still have that slushy consistency that makes them easy to bite into." Think of these little guys as diet-approved mini ice pops. Simply place whole grapes in a small container or baggie and freeze for 4-5 hours.
2
Celery and Peanut Butter
Bring this adult version of ants on a log to the office as a good-for-you snack that holds you over until dinner. In addition to being nostalgic, the classic pairing of celery and peanut butter contains a number of essential nutrients including vitamin E, folate, magnesium, and potassium.
This easily transportable snack also provides a healthy dose of fiber and protein, making it not only fun but filling.
3
Beef Jerky
With a surprising 10:1 protein-to-fat ratio for most brands, beef jerky is a great snack option. After all, it's basically transport-friendly protein in a bag.
When you're shopping the aisles or online, just remember that not all dried meats are created equally. Some jerky contains high sugar and sodium levels, so read the label before throwing the meaty treat into your cart. A good rule of thumb: Look for options that contain less than 10 grams of carbohydrates per ounce.
4
Combat Crunch Protein Bars
Protein bars are a tasty, convenient snack option with no special storage requirements. That makes these portable bars of muscle-building fuel perfect when you're on the road or just looking for something quick to meet your macros.
MusclePharm Combat Crunch Bars are delicious, low in sugar, and contain 12 grams of fiber—almost half of the daily recommended intake for women. They'll make you feel like you're eating a treat while supporting your goals!
5
Greek Yogurt
Creamy, protein-rich Greek yogurt makes a healthy, filling snack any time of day. To sidestep the added sugars that can blow your diet, ditch anything with artificial flavors. Remember, fat-free doesn't necessarily mean healthy.
Sure, that 6-ounce cup has fruit on the bottom—right along with over 20 grams of added sugar.
Opt for plain, nonfat yogurt and add in your own portioned toppings like 100 grams of antioxidant-rich berries and a scoop of FitMiss Delight protein powder.
6
Popcorn
Looking for a low-cal snack to tie you over? Pop some corn kernels. A single cup of air-popped popcorn contains around 31 calories on average. Even better, popcorn is packed with whole grains and fiber.
If you're not able to pop your own, reach for our favorite prepackaged option, Skinny Pop. Lightly mist it with coconut oil or sprinkle with seasoning of your choice for a zesty flavor. Garlic, cinnamon, and paprika all work well.
7
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
While you might not want to eat it straight out of the container, adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to your shakes is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your diet. "With virtually zero calories and lots of fiber, cocoa helps raise my energy, blunt my hunger, and reduce cravings like you wouldn't believe!"says FitMiss ambassador Kate Horney.
Cocoa also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a compound that positively affects the pleasure centers in the brain. "For me, adding extra cocoa powder to my protein shakes or making a fat-loss-friendly hot cocoa drink is a great way to keep my hand out of the cookie jar and still get my chocolate fix!" Horney adds.
Fitness cover model Francisca Dennis also loves the added sweetness. "I'll add two tablespoons of cocoa powder to my go-to Chocolate Delight protein and blend with lots of ice," she says. "It gives me a chocolate milkshake with zero guilt."
8
BCAA Gummies
"For a busy woman, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements do wonders to help fight hunger and cravings, all while supporting muscle maintenance!" Kate Horney exclaims. Plus, while you can simply drink BCAAs to enjoy their benefits, they're versatile enough to make into sweet treats!
When you need a tasty boost, forget sugary gummy bears: These BCAA gummies pack in just as much flavor without the extra calories.
BeyondFit Mom BCAA Gummies
Watch the video - 00:40
Ingredients
Directions
- Pour water, BCAAs, and gelatin packs into a saucepan.
- Heat on a medium-low setting for around 5 minutes, or until gelatin dissolves and product starts to thicken.
- Place on a hot pad for a few minutes until final product starts to gel, and then place in molds.
- Freeze for 15-20 minutes.
- Pop out final products. Enjoy!
