Snacking for weight loss

September 29, 3:04 PMDC Health Care ExaminerPanagiota Kalamaras

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Sarah Kelsey, AP, sheknows.com 

For women who are trying to lose weight, snacking may be one of the most difficult habits to overcome. In fact, most women think that one of the keys to losing weight is to stop snacking. But did you know that snacking can actually be good for your weight loss diet? Snacking can help control hunger and keep your portions smaller at regular meals. Sounds too good to be true? Well, I never said that you can snack on just about anything! Here are some healthy snack alternatives that will help satisfy your hunger and help you to lose weight:

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        1.  Kashi Chewy Granola Bars – Packed with fiber, protein, nuts and whole grains, these low calorie bars taste good and are great to nibble on after a workout at the gym.

        2.   Fage Total Greek Yogurt – Studies show that dairy foods can help you to lose weight. This all natural strained yogurt imported from Greece can be just the key to healthy snacking without the added calories or lethal dosages of sugar that are in many other yogurt brands. With only 80 calories per serving, you can eat this guilt-free snack while also promoting good bone health.

        3.  Peanut Butter Apple - Replace that bread from your peanut and butter and jelly sandwich with an apple. You’ll be consuming fewer calories without completing forgoing this long-time traditional.

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4.  Oatmeal – A bowl of oatmeal can be very filling and the high fiber content is excellent for your heart. Buy Quaker Express Oatmeal. It comes in a cup and all you have to do is add some water or milk, put it in a microwave, and your snack is ready. Remember that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor in order to eat well. You just have to get a little bit creative. Feel free to add some honey to your oatmeal to add some flavor. If you enjoy what you eat while you’re dieting, you’re more likely to stick to it.

 5.   Soy Chips – Who says you have to completely avoid the good stuff? Soy chips might be just the alternative to regular chips. Paul Cooke, Ph.D and a soy researcher at the University of Illinois, says that snacking on soy chips can be one way to help you lose weight. According to Cooke, consuming soy protein helps the body lose weight by removing fat rather than muscle from the body.

 6.   Frozen Juice Bars – If you’re craving ice cream on a warm summer day and you’re on a diet, replenish that craving with a frozen juice bar. It may not be ice cream, but it’s a pretty close alternative. They’re low on calories and also contain some beneficial nutrients.

 7.  Licorice – Want to slow down your snack cravings? Consuming Licorice has been shown to reduce appetite and its sweet and chewy texture gives you an extended snacking pleasure.

 8.  Gum –  Bring gum with you to work or when you’re getting a craving that you’d like to try to avoid. Chewing gum can help distract you from snacking and, according to James Levine, M.D of the Mayo Clinic, the movement of the jaw while chewing can burn up to 11 calories per hour!

Try incorporating some of these into your diet and see what a difference this will make. Sacrificing flavor shouldn’t have to be a requirement for losing weight. When you find the right balance between calories and flavor, you’re already on your way to consistent weight loss success.