Snacks That Pack Pounds

Article by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Unhealthy Snacks: Sugar, Fat & Weight Gain

When natural food sources are mined with fat or sugar, the result is an increase in energy values - most commonly known as calories.

Where sugar and fat are involved, the increase in energy values are negative rather than positive.

And of course, when you're attempting to lose unhealthy pounds, you're most-likely monitoring the amount of energy values that you're inserting into your daily eating plan.

When fat or sugar enter the nutritional composite, the caloric values can spike significantly.

Keeping Calories Minimal for Snacks While Dieting

In our Snack Chart below we have listed those which are high in calories.

Popcorn, High in Calories When Popped in Fat & When Additional Fat is Added to the Bowl

While popcorn makes a healthy treat when it has been prepared in a hot-air popper, if it's of the microwave variety and plied with butter and salt - that's not going to fit easily into your weight loss plan.

This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the microwave variety. It does mean that if you do you'll need to reduce serving size amount.

Mixed Nuts are Healthy But Due to Fatty Acid & Caloric Content, They Should be Enjoyed in Small Amounts While Dieting

While mixed nuts are packed with proteins and while many contain the healthier fatty acids, they are also very high in energy values. These too should be limited in the daily diet.

Opt for Frozen Yogurt Over Ice Cream to Save Calories

If you enjoy ice cream, try opting for the frozen yogurts. They are quite delicious and minimal in caloric content.

Snacking Often Ends a Weight Loss Plan

Our raging appetite is difficult to manage - even when we aren't trying to lose the fat. So when we're dieting and start the feel that gnawing hunger pain, at times we simply cannot withstand the pain. Because yes, hunger pain hurts the belly.

We give in - tell our self that we'll just have a small taste to take the edge off our hunger, and instead of eating a couple of potato chips - we end up eating the whole bag.

Instead of a couple of spoons of ice cream, we end up eating the entire pint...or half gallon - at least in those brands which still offer an entire half gallon.

Sad but so, bingeing wins out and it really feels great to have that gnawing pain gone. Once we veer from our plan, it's very difficult to get back on track.

And many dieters innocently slip away from their plan. It's just too hard. It's more fun to enjoy food - because truth be said, dieting isn't easy. It's very hard work. It's extremely stressful.

Therefore, keep these notes in mind while you are dieting. It doesn't take much for us to quit our healthy weight loss plan and return to our former unhealthy eating habits.

Healthier Choices for Snack Times While Dieting

Picking Fresh Fruits for Minimal Calories

Fruits are one of the best choices for meal time OR snack time, preferably in their natural wrappers. Those highest in calories - at about 100 kcals per fruit include: mango, banana, apple, pear and pineapple.

Those lowest in calories include: apricot, peach, strawberries, melons and kiwi.

What about a small tray of fresh vegetables with low fat yogurt as a dip? Or, a plate of whole grain crackers [about 5-6] served with your favorite fruit & cheese?

Lean Snack Choices for Weight Loss

These include beef and turkey jerky, rice cakes, popcorn cakes, a teaspoon of nut butter spread on a slice of whole grain bread, yogurt and boiled eggs.

Filling in the Missing Nutritional Elements of Your Daily Diet Menus at Snack Time

It's a smart idea to review the foods which you plan to enjoy during the day for meal time. Look for servings which may be missing from your menus and choose to add these selections at snack time.

For example, your menus include ample protein, vegetable and grain selections but are lacking in fruit and dairy.

At snack time, add a serving of yogurt, or a cup of milk - or even a serving of your favorite low fat cheese. Or, add a fresh fruit - or to get both the fruit and dairy into one snack choice, blend frozen fruit with fresh milk. continue

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