NEW YORK: When it comes to weight loss, incorporating well-balanced snacks into your routine can be a strategic move, according to registered dietitian Katie Drakeford. Contrary to common beliefs, snacks can contribute to weight loss by providing essential nutrients, controlling appetite, and preventing overeating during main meals.
In a paradigm shift, Drakeford suggests that even snacks traditionally considered “bad” can align with a healthy eating pattern and support weight-loss goals.
Here are six unexpected snacks endorsed by experts:
Bad Snacks for Weight Loss
Nuts: Despite concerns about their fat content, nuts like macadamia, pecan, walnut, Brazil, hazelnut, and almonds have been linked to fat and weight loss due to their healthy fats, protein, and fibre content.
Dried Fruit: Convenient and nutritious, dried fruits like raisins, prunes, cherries, or dates offer a tasty on-the-go snack. Combining dried fruits with protein sources like cottage cheese or nuts ensures longer-lasting appetite control.
Chips: Often shunned for weight loss, chips can fulfil cravings for something crunchy and salty. Opting for chips made from cauliflower or beans provides a higher-fibre alternative.
Crackers: Challenging the low-carb myth, crackers can be part of a weight-loss strategy. Pairing them with flavoured tuna, apples, hummus, or nut butter adds protein and fibre, enhancing fullness and stabilising blood sugar levels.
Bananas: Despite skepticism, bananas, especially when green, offer dietary fibre and potassium. Combining bananas with almonds and yoghurt boosts protein content and provides beneficial monounsaturated fats, contributing to stable blood sugar levels and prolonged satiety.
Cheese: A savoury option for snacking, cheese is rich in protein, digesting slowly to maximize appetite satisfaction. Incorporating an ounce of cheese into a personal-sized charcuterie board with fresh veggies, hummus, and whole-grain crackers makes for a satisfying and nutritious snack.
Drakeford emphasizes that combining carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fibre in snacks can enhance satisfaction, energy levels, and satiety during a weight loss journey.
