Last week on my Facebook page, I asked you what snacks you enjoy between meals.
You provided a lot of fantastic responses, and it was great to see my audience exercise such a high level of control over their diets and food choices. Yet, many of you asked what I liked to snack on, and I thought I’d take a moment this week to reflect on some of my personal favorite crunch snacks.
Three snacks Dr. A-approved!
- Celery Almost all health experts can agree that celery is a perfect snack choice, and for good reason. This vegetable is packed with vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin K, fiber, potassium, vitamin C (and many others), and its anti-inflammatory properties help us maintain a healthy digestive tract. And it tastes great, too!
At just 18 calories per serving and with a low glycemic index, celery is a go-to choice for me when I need a pick-me-up between meals.
If you’re not a fan of celery’s strong flavor, consider other raw veggies, such as broccoli, kale, or carrots, in its place.
- Unsalted peanuts. While nuts in general play a vital role in a healthy diet, let’s turn our attention to one of the most common and least expensive nuts out there: peanuts.
Unsalted peanuts are delicious, and they’re loaded with filling protein and biotin, which helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates, and sugars. In addition, peanuts are rich in antioxidants, and their monounsaturated fats help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in both men and women.
However, peanuts are not for everybody. If you don’t like the taste of peanuts or if you’re looking to spice up your nut selection, try walnuts or almonds. If you have a nut allergy, however, work around it with my last choice!
- Roasted, unsalted pumpkin seeds. Nuts and seeds are often lumped together in diets, largely because they offer similar health benefits. Personally, I like to snack on both of them, and I find that many of my clients like to switch between nuts and seeds from time to time, as well.
Roasted, unsalted pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, zinc, and heart-healthy omega-3s, and they also contain the same healthy fats that we find in nuts. Even better, they’re low glycemic, which means they’re diabetes-friendly, and they help maintain stable blood-sugar levels while keeping you feeling full and satisfied until your next meal.
Even better, for those who are allergic to nuts, seeds (like pumpkin seeds) do not contain the same allergens. Many people who suffer from a nut allergy can instead choose seeds and enjoy the same health benefits without the adverse effects!
I hope these three snacks give you something to think about the next time you stroll into the grocery store with snacks in mind!