Close your eyes and image a world where your snacks give you the upper hand in fat loss. It sounds like a dream, but if you pay attention to the snacks you keep on hand, you can actually use them to get leaner.
No, they’re not diet pills that will magically shave pounds off your physique – they’re simply healthy foods that will go a long way toward keeping hunger away and preventing you from over indulging at mealtime.
Ready to find out what snacks you need in your pantry? Read on to find out!
#1: Walnuts & Almonds
All nuts are great to eat, but there is something special about walnuts and almonds. They’ve got healthy fat and protein and are exceptionally filling. Grab a handful of either, eat them nice and slow, and you’ll be able to coast to your next meal with ease.
#2: Dried Fruit
Basically all fruit is great for snacking…as long as it’s not covered with sugar! Sometimes the effort required for fresh fruit can be an obstacle and having dry fruit on hand helps to keep you on track.
Don’t let time restraints or the potential for a mess keep you from downing fruit. Go with dried fruit instead and you can easily snack on whatever fruit you choose. As an added perk, saving leftover dried fruit is as easy as closing the bag.
#3: Peanut Butter Toast
Nuts are on the list once again, but this time it’s peanuts, and they need to be nice and creamy. A toast-sized portion of peanut butter provides a solid protein boost, and you spread it across Ezekiel bread (try the cinnamon-raisin, it’s so yummy). You’ll get an even greater fill of protein, along with a great big high five to your taste buds. A piece of this and you’ll be well on your way to slimming down.
#4: Kale Chips
You’ve spent years of your life salivating at the though of a fresh bag of potato chips or a sleeve of crackers and cheese. Not any more!
In 20 minutes or so, you can bake up some delicious chips made from kale that will fill your need for something salty with a nice crunch! As an added perk, they’re low in calories and are the good green stuff your mom wants you to eat more of.
#5: Cold Corn & Peas
It’s a hot day and you need a snack ASAP! All you’ve got to do is peak in your freezer and toss some frozen peas and corn into a small bowl. One by one, pop them into your mouth, letting the coldness cool you off, and the vegetables natural sweetness gives you a flavor that is just right in bite-sized portions.
#6: Oatmeal (if your system can tolerate grains)
It doesn’t get a lot more ordinary than oatmeal, but snacks don’t always have to be exciting. A small bowl of oatmeal, mixed with a scoop of high quality protein powder, will go a long way toward keeping you from the snack machine and a lot closer to your weight-loss goals.
And with a few small slivers of apple or even a few pinches of ground cinnamon, it’ll have a flavor as satisfying as it is filling.
#7: Protein Shake
Another snack that will fill you up with fat burning fuel is a simple, classic protein shake. Start with a scoop, or two, of high quality protein powder, and add water and ice. It’s quick, it’s simple and it’s effective.
Not Another “Diet” (I don’t even like saying that word!)
When you eat a simple, healthy diet you’ll never again be tempted to try the latest fad diet to drop a few pounds. When you choose to eat lean proteins, seasonal vegetables and whole grains and avoid sugar, fried food and processed carbohydrates on a daily basis an enjoy living life at your ideal weight.
Here’s a Yummy Recipe for you to try…
Blackberry Chicken
This recipe makes a yummy family meal. Use organic berries and chicken to get the most from your meal nutritionally and flavor-wise. Serve your chicken on a bed of steamed veggies or on a dark leafy green salad.
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds organic, skinless, boneless chicken tenders
- 1 cup organic blackberries
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
- 1/4 cup plum vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 cup yellow onion, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 packet Stevia
- Rinse the chicken tenders and pat dry. Place in a large ziplock bag.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.
- *Optional* strain the seeds from marinade (if you don’t mind the crunch, then leave the seeds in!)
- Pour the marinade into the bag of chicken, seal and place in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the marinated chicken in a baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, drain off excess marinade, then place under high broil for 4 minutes, watching closely. Remove when golden.
For the Blackberry Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup organic blackberries
- 1 packet Stevia
- 1 Tablespoon Plum Vinegar
- In a skillet over medium low heat, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer, stirring often, until the blackberries become bright and the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- If you wish to thicken the sauce more, add 1/2 teaspoon of arrowroot powder.
- *Optional* strain the seeds from the sauce (If you don’t mind the crunch, then leave the seeds in!)
- Serve over the cooked chicken.
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 287 calories, 7g fat, 655mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, and 36g protein
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