20 Snacks That Burn Fat
Snacks versus weight loss
by Amanda MacMillan
Americans love to snack almost as much as we want to lose weight. But according to recent research by the USDA, our snacking habits are adding too many calories and too few nutrients to our diets. It doesn't have to be this way, says Susan Bowerman, RD, assistant director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition. "When done right, (snacking) keeps your energy levels up and gives you more opportunities to get in all your nutritional needs."
What snacks burn fat?
Eating snacks with the right ratio of nutrients,
with the right calories, will help keep you body energized and help you
lose weight. Protein (plus exercise) fuels the growth of lean muscle
mass, which boosts metabolic rate and increases calorie burn. Fiber,
meanwhile, helps improve digestion and keeps you from binging on fats
and sugars. So while there's no food that will literally "burn fat"
while you eat it, smart choices with these ingredients will help your
body operate at maximum efficiency. Bowerman suggests snacks under 200 calories, with 10
grams of protein and close to 5 grams of fiber. Here are 20 of our
favorite fat-burning snacks.
An apple and skim milk
"Almost any fruit is going to make a great snack,
but you usually want to pair it with a bit of protein to make it more
satisfying," says Bowerman; "unlike carbohydrates, which get used up
relatively quickly, protein will help sustain your energy and hunger
levels for a couple of hours."
Our pick for a protein-fruit pairing: one large apple and one cup of skim milk. This duo will give you 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for just over 200 calories.
Our pick for a protein-fruit pairing: one large apple and one cup of skim milk. This duo will give you 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber for just over 200 calories.
Cottage cheese-filled avocado
Here's another fruit and diary combo, this
one for when you're craving something rich, creamy, and a bit savory.
Remove the pit from one half of an avocado and fill the space with 2
ounces of 1% cottage cheese. For 200 calories, you'll get 9 grams of
protein and 7 grams of fiber—and no dirty dishes!
How to Prepare an Avocado: http://www.health.com/health/video/0,,20786793,00.html
Canned tuna on whole-wheat crackers
If you don't want to incorporate
dairy into every snack, a can of tuna (packaged in water) is another
great source of lean protein plus healthy Omega-3s. For about 200
calories, you can enjoy 3 ounces of light tuna and 6 whole-wheat
crackers—complete with 3 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein.
Sunflower lentil spread with pita bread
Lentils are a good source of iron, a metabolism-boosting nutrient that 20% of us don't get enough of. This savory recipe makes four 180-calorie servings, with 10 grams each of protein and fiber.
Shrimp stack
You may not think of shellfish as a grab-and-go snack food,
but you can put this tasty treat together in a flash if you keep
pre-cooked shrimp on hand. With Greek yogurt and avocado, it's a protein
powerhouse with 9 grams per serving (and 4 g fiber), for only 129
calories.
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