Thursday, January 15, 2009

Healthy Snacks

As I mentioned in my last post, I've really been working on losing the weight I gained from my pregnancy. I still had 10 lbs to loose 14 months after my son was born and I realized I needed to make some changes in my eating habits! I considered myself a pretty healthy eater, too. I just had sweets around that I would snack on during the day. I was exercising five days a week and my three main meals were healthy, but it was those darn snacks that were holding me back.

I've tried creating a daily eating plan, but that was too much organization for me (I like having some spontaneity in my life! ) and I found that I didn't stick with the plan exactly anyway. What I thought sounded good the night before just might not sound satisfying the next day. However, I do think it is a good idea to write down your eating plan for a couple weeks until eating healthy becomes a habit.

Even though I don't put together a daily meal plan (except for dinner), I do make sure I have healthy snacks and foods around (and I have stopped buying sweets to eliminate the temptation - I have a major sweet tooth). I have one day a week that I can eat whatever I want and I'll go out and buy the treat or make it that day. I eat three meals a day and then I have three snacks each day. My snacks usually consist of a carb and a protein. I've been following this eating pattern for the last four months and I believe it was the key to helping me lose those ten pounds. I feel healthier and really don't miss my daily dose of chocolate. Here are some snacks that I enjoy:
  • Yogurt (I really like Yoplus) with a few walnuts mixed in
  • Apple or banana with a spoonful of natural peanut butter
  • Fruit with cottage cheese (I love tangerines, peaches, pears, mandarin oranges)
  • Luna bar (these are great when you are on the go and need something quick to take with you)
  • Cheese stick and a fruit
  • Boiled egg with Wasa multi-grain cracker
  • Craisins or raisins mixed with a few nuts
Do you have a favorite healthy snack? Please pass it on. I am always looking for new snack ideas!

4 comments:

  1. I love celery with peanut butter or cream cheese. Otherwise, I definitely need some more good snacks.

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  2. thanks for sharing!! I need to lose weight but i feel so lost on what to do. I know the basics but when walking into a store i feel overwhelmed by so many choices.Thanks Again, i'll give these suggestions a try

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  3. Thanks for the suggestions. Popcorn is also a great low calorie snack that I like. I get those 100 calorie packs and they are perfect. You feel like you get a really good amount and with not too many calories. I also like those little individual pudding cups. I especially LOVE kozy shack rice pudding cups. Yum! Another good low calorie treat is diet root beer with 1/2 c. of the low calorie ice cream.

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  4. I love string cheese. I have also recently started making my own granola (thanks to my friend's great recipe). It is super yummy and it is great for snaking because it helps to cure my sweet tooth without all of the bad stuff. It is great to eat plain or with yogurt or even with milk like cereal. And it is fun to add different stuff every time for a little variety.

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