If you've a busy schedule, finding time for healthy eating can be tough. Sometimes all that's immediately available is junk food. I know what you're thinking: "I don't have time to cook healthy meals daily!" But no one said anything about cooking—you have time for quick snacks! In this article, we'll show you some low-calorie snacks that are easy to prepare when you're short on time.
Celery and peanut butter
- Celery and peanut butter:
- Peanut butter is a good protein, fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals source. It also contains antioxidants that help fight off disease-causing free radicals in the body.
- Start with one stalk of celery cut into small pieces (you can use a vegetable peeler), then spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on top. You can also add raisins if you like them!
Try using natural peanut butter instead of regular to make this even healthier. It's made from peanuts and salt without added sugar or oil!
String cheese
String cheese is one of the best snacks you can have quickly. It's low in calories but high in protein and calcium. A serving of string cheese has about 100 calories, which is okay, considering what else you could eat now. If you need to burn off those 100 calories, it will take about 30 minutes of walking or running on the treadmill at 3 miles per hour (or 15 minutes if you do something more intense like jogging).
It's best to eat whole pieces of string cheese rather than cutting them up into smaller portions because then there will be less surface area exposed to oxygen which causes molding or rotting quickly after being opened from its packaging; however, if this isn't possible, then go ahead cutting it up into smaller pieces! I recommend not exceeding two servings daily as this may cause constipation due to too much dairy consumption within 24 hours.
Sugar-free pudding cups
Sugar-free pudding cups are another great option when you're in a hurry. They can be found at most grocery stores and come in various flavors and colors. They also have fewer calories than many other snack options because they don't have any added sugar or fat.
You can make sugar-free pudding cups with an easy recipe: mix one envelope of instant vanilla pudding with two cups milk until creamy; then add 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (about 30 grams) or chocolate chips if desired! This makes four servings at about 100-120 calories each--less than half the calories of store-bought versions!
If you want even more variety, try adding some fruit like strawberries or blueberries; nuts like walnuts or almonds; coconut flakes; peanut butter powder...the possibilities are endless!
Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a great low-calorie snack to keep on hand. They're easy to make and can be eaten as is or with a healthy dip. Hard-boiled eggs are also a good source of B vitamins, which help your body convert food into energy.
Hard-boiled egg recipes include:
- Avocado Deviled Eggs - Use avocado instead of mayonnaise for this delicious twist on the classic deviled egg recipe.
- Egg Salad Sandwich - Make an egg salad sandwich with crunchy vegetables such as celery, red onion, and herbs like parsley or dill weed!
- Breakfast Burritos - Use hard-boiled eggs, salsa, and cheddar cheese to make these easy breakfast burritos.
- Deviled Eggs with Salmon - Deviled eggs are a great way to use leftover salmon. This delicious recipe calls for smoked salmon, but any salmon will work well in this dish.
Apples with peanut butter or almond butter
Apples are a great low-calorie snack. They are high in fiber, which helps you feel full and provides energy. Apples also contain pectin, a type of fiber that slows down digestion. This means you'll be less likely to overeat because your body will take longer to digest the apple (and its nutrients).
Peanut butter is another healthy option that can be paired with apples for a delicious treat! Peanuts contain heart-healthy fats known as monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol levels while providing energy for your body to burn fat stores more efficiently. Almond butter is another alternative if you don't like peanut butter--it also contains high levels of protein and fiber!
Hummus with veggies or crackers
Hummus is a great snack for when you're in a hurry because it's high in protein, fiber, iron, vitamin C, and magnesium. It also contains potassium which helps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Hummus can be served with raw vegetables such as carrots or broccoli florets (or even celery sticks), but it's also good on crackers or pita bread if you want something more substantial.
Hummus is also a great dip for your favorite vegetables, such as cucumber slices or bell pepper wedges. It's quick and easy to make, so you can have it ready in less than 10 minutes!
Fat-free, sugar-free Jello pudding cups (made with fat-free milk)
If you are looking for a snack that is low in calories and high in protein, jello is the way to go. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamin C, so you can feel good about eating it!
If you need more time to make your own Jello cups with fat-free milk or yogurt (which would be ideal), plenty of brands sell them at most grocery stores. You may even find some with artificial sweeteners if that's what you prefer--check the label before buying!
These snacks are the best low-calorie options.
- Almonds: These nuts are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They have about 160 calories per 1/4 cup (28 g).
- Peanuts: Another great source of protein, peanuts are also rich in monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. A quarter cup of peanuts contains 170 calories, but it's worth noting that some brands may contain added salt, so check the label before you buy!
- Popcorn: This snack is a great choice if you want something salty but don't want to overdo it on calories or fat content--make sure not to douse your popcorn in butter because then its nutritional value becomes less impressive! One cup (grapefruit-sized) portion contains only 60 calories despite being loaded up with sodium thanks to the salt used during preparation; however, there is no way around this since this ingredient helps give off those delicious buttery flavors we all love so much :)
Conclusion
If you want a healthy snack, these seven snacks are the best low-calorie options. They are easy to prepare and have plenty of protein to keep you full throughout the day.
