Top 10 Healthy Snacks

Chips, donuts, and cookies are not the best type of snacks and we all know it. But if you must try those go with baked chips instead of fried, or oatmeal cookies with low-sugar, or a plain donut instead of the jelly filled kind. Making smarter decisions about what we eat is the just the beginning to a healthier lifestyle. So here are some tips on quick and easy snacks that will give you more energy throughout the day, instead of weighing you down.

1.NUTS: Almonds, walnuts and peanuts are high in protein and easy to munch on, when on-the-go.

2.FRUIT: Berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all good options) are low in calories and high in fiber. Or even if your craving sweets, having an apple or banana will definitely be a better option than something chock full of artificial sweetener.

3.STRING CHEESE: The part-skim kind is the lowest in fat and helps curb hunger with a good amount of protein.

4.VEGGIES: Celery and soybeans still in their pod (edamame) are tasty. Baby carrots are easy to buy at the store and come fully peeled, and sometimes prepackaged in serving sizes—plus it’s a great source of Vitamin A.

5.PEANUT BUTTER: Get the all-natural kind, other have too many sugars added. 1 or 2 tablespoons is a good amount. You can even use peanut butter on the inside of celery sticks, for more flavor.

6.COTTAGE CHEESE: A low-fat cottage cheese or plain low-fat yogurt works best.

7.SOY MILK: Especially if you are lactose intolerant, this a great substitute for milk and it has no animal fat. 1% milk or fat-free milk is also a more health-conscious choice.

8.WHOLE GRAIN: Whole wheat toast, Kashi cereal bars, bran muffins and cereals are all good choices as long as you staying within the serving size.

9.GRAHAM CRACKERS: These are great is you have a sweet tooth, and is great paired with fruit, yogurt, and peanut butter.

10.RAISINS: Trail mix is great because it usually has a mix of nuts and dried fruit. Buying individual packs of raisins works too.