10 Healthy Snacks that May Surprise You

For some reason, we tend to equate a healthy snack with something like carrot sticks with no dressing. The truth is, there are some wonderfully healthy and yummy snacks out there. All it takes is a bit of creativity and thinking outside of the box. Here are some of my favorites:

Yogurt with fresh fruit and walnuts. This is a great snack when you are craving something sweet. Layer some low fat yogurt into a parfait glass with fresh fruit and walnuts. You will not feel the least bit deprived. It is delicious and good for you, packed with calcium, protein, vitamins and fiber.

A handful of almonds. Any kind of nut is a great snack, but almonds are especially nutritious. Studies show that they reduce cholesterol, help lose weight as well as maintain a healthy weight. Almonds are nutritionally dense, which means that they have more nutrition packed into a small caloric portion than most other foods.

Apple w/peanut butter. This is one of my favorite snacks. An apple alone is a great snack, but if you cut it open and spread a bit of peanut butter onto the apple, it will have more staying power. Not only is this snack filled with fiber and protein, it is yummy!

Banana w/ peanut butter. This is another favorite, and similar to the apple with peanut butter. This one is a bit messier so not easy to take with you. Still, it's very tasty.

Low Fat Laughing Cow Cheese w/ whole wheat crackers. I only recently discovered the Lite Laughing Cow Cheese, and am now somewhat addicted to it. Each small creamy wedge contains only 35 calories, and it goes a long way. It spreads easily and I spread it on whole wheat crackers. It is satisfying and filling as well as good for you.

Whole grain cereal w/skim milk. Cereal is not just for breakfast. It's funny how we put certain foods in a box and keep them there. A cup of your favorite healthy cereal combined with ½ cup of skim milk is very satisfying and filling. The key is to make sure you are eating a healthy cereal, not one filled with sugar.

Baked tortilla chips and salsa. There are some really great baked tortilla chips out there. Combine around 10 -15 chips with some salsa for dipping and you will have a nutritious, yummy snack.

Sardines on whole wheat crackers. Okay....I know that the word "sardines" probably doesn't make you start to salivate. When I heard that sardines are considered a "super food", I decided to give them a try. I have come to love them. You can now find them in different sauces such as Cajun hot sauce or honey mustard sauce. They really are delicious. 3 ounces of sardines contains more calcium than a full glass of milk, and they are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids which is good for your heart.

Whole wheat tortilla/turkey wrap. This is a snack that I came up with on my own out of sheer boredom when I was on my weight loss journey. It is now one of my favorites. Get a whole wheat flour tortilla. Inside of it place a slice of turkey and 1 slice of cheese. Roll it up and place it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until the cheese melts. Take it out and spoon a bit of salsa into the middle. If you like, you can add some fresh veggies. Roll it back up and enjoy. The entire snack has less than 200 calories.

Boiled egg with tomato slices. This snack is healthy, easy and delicious. I try and keep some boiled eggs in my refrigerator at all times. They are a wonderful source of protein and last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Slice a tomato on the side and you will have a healthy and satisfying snack.

If you will notice, most all of my snacks contain a source of protein. This is because protein is filling and will help to keep you from getting so hungry in between meals. This is a little trick I discovered while losing weight, and it works!