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Snacks Can Save Your Weight Loss Goals

Was your New Year's resolution to loss weight? Have you been faltering with this? Is hunger getting in your way? Don't let that stop you from getting to your goal weight. Snacks can save your weight loss goals.

We all get hungry between meals. But often we think that we will not succeed if we snack. The fact is that you will do better if you will eat small snacks throughout the day. There is nothing wrong with with eating healthy snacks of low-fat crackers or fruit. This can help you not to take second and third helping at your next meal, drastically cutting the calories you consume and assisting you with your weight loss.

Plan ahead for your snacks with variety, moderation and balance. Adding a late morning or afternoon nibble does not have to take a lot of prep time. It can be incorporated into your workday without spending precious time getting it ready.

Choose foods that satisfy your hunger, give your energy and nutrients. (That trip to the snack machine will not do that.) What do you choose?

Whole grains. These are rich in fiber and complex carbs, which give you energy with staying power. Pick low-fat whole-grain crackers, pretzels and crispbreads.
Fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide a feeling of fullness with no fat and a small number of calories. They provide vitamins, minerals, fibers and other nutrients.
Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds provide protein, so you feel fuller longer. They have the healthy kind of fats, but watch the serving size, as they can be very high in calories.
Low-fat dairy products. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are good sources of calcuim and protein, along with many other vitamins and minerals. These too can be hight in fat, so pick the low or no fat versions. Also, some yogurts have added sugar, so it is wise to choose the light varieties.
Healthy trail mix. You can really save money and calories on trail mix by making your own. This is easy to prepare ahead to time. Combine 2 cups of whole-grain toasted oat cereal with bags of 6 ounces of chopped walnuts, 6 ounces of sliced almonds, 12 ounces dried cranberries, 6 ounces of flaked coconut and 1 bag of roasted unsalted sunflower seeds. Just mix together and scoop a handful into separate resealable plastic bags. You will have 8-10 bags.

Just remember moderation is the key to good snacking. Did you know that a single serving of almonds (about 23 kernels or a handful) contains 163 calories, but if you eat a cup of almonds, the calorie count jumps to 800 plus calories. Keep yourself out of this trap by fixing individual servings of your snacks so that you do not sabotage your good intentions. You will succesd in meeting your goals!

About the Author

Karla Buzzell is a 60's something woman who has a successful home based business since retiring from a traditional job. She finds working from home rewarding and stimulating.

Check out her websites: http://www.beauty-fromheadtotoe.com on anti-aging and skin care for men and women.

http://beauty-fromheadtotoeblog.com is a blog on beauty and skin care tips.

http://www.karlasEnterprises.com is about network marketing as is

http://karlasPlan.com

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