Guest Post: Healthy Snacks

Kathryn Steed is a writer and editor for the health and beauty website Fit&Fab Living and the Fit&Fab Living blog, Running With Mascara.

During the winter, you may find yourself snacking more than usual.  Remember that snacking is actually good for you, as long as you choose the right kinds of treats to fill those gaps between meals.  Pick snacks that are high in fiber. Fiber is not only important beneficial to your diet and digestion, but it also keeps you full for longer and releases energy slowly throughout the day.  Here are our top picks for high-fiber snacks that will keep you full and energized!

The Mayo Clinic recommends that women under the age of 50 consume approximately 25 grams of fiber per day, while women 51 or older should consume 21 grams daily.  Here are some snacks that will get you well on your way!

Fresh Fruit
While fruit may be high in sugar, natural sugars are always better for you than refined sugars.  Fruits are also surprisingly full of fiber.  Some of the best fruits to snack on are raspberries, which contain about 8 grams of fiber in each cup.  Dried fruits can also fill you up, with raisins and figs ranking at the top of the list. Hate fruit? Try topping it with a dollop of Greek yogurt, which makes a flavorful and low-calorie dip.

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Nuts
Nuts are chock full of both protein and fiber.  Almonds top the charts with almost 4 grams of fiber in a single ounce!  Walnuts come in at second place, with about just over 3 grams per ounce.  Choose unsalted nuts to avoid unneeded sodium and you have a great snack! 

Bean Dip
Beans are a fabulous source of fiber and they’re low in fat and calories.  Try making or purchasing a healthy bean dip and getting creative.  Try dipping whole-wheat crackers, veggies, or pita bread.  One cup of black beans equals 15 grams of fiber, more than half of your recommended daily allowance!  Hummus will also do the trick, as it’s made from garbanzo beans.

Cereal
Not just any cereal will do when it comes to getting your fiber; choose a bran-based cereal for best results and you will find yourself getting about 5 grams of fiber per cup.  There are also many brands of cereal on the market specifically made to help you get your daily dose of fiber, so read labels and grab a bowl!  If you prefer warm cereal, oatmeal is another great alternative.

Looking for more healthy foods?  Check out our high-fiber recipes by clicking here!

After the holidays are over, I’m always looking for new healthy snack ideas – they keep me away from super sugary office treats (most days, anyway). : )

 

So what about you?

What are your favorite healthy snacks, right now? Any new ones you’ve tried lately and want to share?

5 comments

  1. Pingback: Guest Post: Healthy Snacks « : DynamicSystems

  2. My favorite afternoon snacks are usually apple with nut butter, celery with nut butter, or any other sliced vegetable or fruit.

  3. Great post! As you know, I am all about healthy snacks. Recently, I remade kettle corn into “Can Do” corn with peanut butter and maple syrup. It is my favorite right now.

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