As you grow older, you’ll notice that you’ll pack on a few pounds, especially around your mid-section. This is because as you age, your metabolism slows down. It is therefore important to mind what you eat and opt for snacks that are much healthier. It’s also better if you start munching on snacks that effectively burn fat. Here are a few healthy, fat-burning snacks:
Nuts. Nuts are high in calories, but since they contain healthy fats, fiber, and protein, they’re actually great for weight watchers, bodybuilders, and athletes. You’ll even burn fat more if you go for spicy nuts. Nuts flavored with a little zing from Chili peppers contain capsaicin, an antioxidant that can also speed up metabolism and stimulate brain chemicals, making you feel fuller.
Popcorn. It’s not just fun to eat on DVD or movie night. Popcorn is also a pretty tasty and healthy snack that you can munch on anytime you like, provided that you don’t add too much salt, butter, or any artificial flavoring in it. You see, popcorn is whole grain. And you know what whole grain means – healthy and fibrous and good for digestion. What’s even better is that a cup of popcorn only contains 20 calories, which means you can eat a full tumbler and not worry about your caloric intake. You’ll also feel fuller just by munching on a cup of this crunchy snack.
Whole grain cereals. Who says cereals are only for breakfast? If you want to snack on something and stay in shape and burn fat while you’re at it, eat whole grain cereals. To build more muscles and reduce fat stored in the body, mix your whole grain cereals with protein sources, like almonds. For a little bit of fibrous sweetness and tartness, add some raisins or fresh strawberries. That’s a breakfast and snack fit for a champion.
Dried fruits. Dried fruits are healthy and delicious snacks that are also natural sweeteners. They’re full of vitamins and minerals and, like nuts and whole grains, they’re also high in fiber and complex carbs. Not all dried fruits are healthy, though. Banana chips, for example, are generally fried and sweetened after drying, which means they contain oil and sugar. The healthiest dried fruits are apple, mango, cherry, apricot, fig, blueberry, papaya, black currant, raisin, tomato, plum, and pear.
Trail mix. Trail mix is no longer just a healthy snack for the outdoors. If you need something to munch on to stay awake or if you just need a healthy snack in between meals, serve and eat a pack of trail mix. Simply combine your favorite nuts, grains, dried fruits, and chocolate and you have one super snack that’s highly nutritious, lightweight, and easy to prep and store. The carbs from the dried fruit and the healthy fats in nuts will also give you the boost that you need.
Eating the right kind of snacks becomes more important as you grow older. Choose healthy snacks to keep yourself fit and healthy.