Today I am sharing some of my snack swaps that helped me transform my body without feeling deprived. One of the things I quickly noticed when I started lifting weights was an increased appetite. I found that I was hungrier and hungry more often through the day. I learned how to fuel my body, so I could still reach my goals. So, today, I am sharing with you some of my go-to snacks. I have five of my favorites for you, each packed with nutrition to satisfy your hunger, curb cravings, and give you an energy burst instead of that crash we often get from less nourishing snacks.
As I’ve shared countless times, I’ve been dieting since I was about fourteen years old in some form or fashion. I’ve tried all there is to try. When I first started lifting weights over 25 years ago, my appetite increased significantly. However, at that time, I didn’t know much about nutrition. I knew what were generally considered healthier foods, but I was not yet familiar with the concept of caloric deficit and nourishment. So, I would generally follow my hunger and cravings. This didn’t always mean I was grabbing “junk food,” but what I thought was healthy and what was actually going to help me change my body were too different things.
As a result of my lack of knowledge about nutrition at that time, my progress was slow, because I was generally eating too much and/or wasn’t really giving my body enough of what it wanted. I was especially bad with getting enough protein. Fast forward to now and I’ve learned a lot about nutrition and how to fuel the body. While it’s true that you need to be in deficit to lose weight, that isn’t enough to truly recomposition your physique. It does matter what your calories are comprised of.
So, today I have five of my favorite healthy snacks that keep me satiated, satisfy cravings, and fuel my body. Take a look at your current snacks and try swapping in some of these. You’ll notice you have more energy and, with consistency in exercise and overall nutrition, you will notice your body looking more fit and healthy.
- Fresh veggies with light sour cream dip or Greek yogurt dip for added protein
This is a great way to help yourself start adding more veggies to your day. Make your favorite dip with low fat sour cream or even better with low fat plain Greek yogurt, as you’ll also get in some protein. You can use your favorite dip mix of chop up some fresh herbs and mix it together. One of my favorites is Tzatziki, which is so easy to make. Grate some cucumber, a little lemon juice, a bit of garlic, salt, and pepper and you have a refreshing and tasty dip for your veggies. - Apple with nut butter
This is one of my go-tos when I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Slice an apple into quarters or eights and dip into 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter. Just be sure to measure your nut butter. This is not the ingredient to eye ball as you can very easily eat too much in a sitting and the calories add up quick. - Pop corners with avocado
These are the rice cake chips. They are basically a triangle shaped rice cake and there are different seasoned options. I like the sweet chili flavor with a small avocado or 1/2 large avocado mashed with a little salt, or even better, Tajin. It’s like a better for you chips and guac. - Smoked turkey, string cheese
This is a great way to hit your daily protein target. Add some whole grain/high fiber crackers or nut crackers if you want some crunch. - Dried berries, nuts, chocolate chips
There are so many great ready-made trail mix type snacks of this variety, but what is the fun in that? You can buy your own ingredients from the grocery store and make your own custom made version. I like to mix dried berries, raw almonds, and chocolate chips. This is one of my go-to options when I want something sweet.
So, these are five of my favorite snacks you can use to help you snack your way to a better body. I hope you’ll give some of these a try and find these helpful on your own journey to a healthier, happier version of you. I’d love to hear which ones you want to try in the comments. Share your favorites!