While leading a healthy lifestyle is a goal for many people, it can be difficult to break certain habits when it comes to food. You may have a favorite meal you don’t want to give up. Or, you’ve probably made snacking a regular part of your daily routine.
It can be tempting to throw out all your guilty pleasures and start eating as healthy as can be without snacking in the middle of the day. However, that could just make you crave more later on and indulge in bad habits again.
The best thing to do for a healthier lifestyle without giving everything up is to instead eat your favorite foods in moderation. Replace unhealthy, calorie-filled snacks with much more nutritional alternatives. Here are our favorite substitutes for the most popular snack foods.
3 Healthy Alternatives to Your Favorite Snack Foods
Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds
Everyone loves a chocolate bar, but many popular brand choices are filled with corn syrup and preservatives that have very little nutritional value and that simply pack on the calories alongside the flavor. Instead of reaching for those in the candy aisle, opt instead for dark chocolate-covered almonds which will satisfy your sweet tooth while giving you more health benefits.
Dark chocolate-covered almonds have been shown to lower cholesterol. The two main ingredients offer their own benefits for your health. 70% dark chocolate is filled with flavanols that may lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk. Almonds are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, can help control blood sugar, and have been shown to reduce appetite and help you lose weight.
Berry and Yogurt Parfait
Ice cream is a very popular comfort food that comes in an assortment of flavors. But, it’s also easy to binge on. Plus, relatively small servings from popular brands can contain the same or even more calories than a typical meal.
If you enjoy the sensation of ice cream but are looking for something more healthful and lower in calories, a berry and yogurt parfait is an excellent alternative. Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants. Getting a varied mix of colored berries with different compounds in your diet can give you an array of benefits. Yogurt on the other hand is rich in protein, probiotics, and more nutrients that can do wonders for your digestive and immune system.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
Artificial gummy candies and soft sweets are very popular snacks among children and adults alike. However, they hold very little to no nutritional value. If you’re trying to lose weight but can’t kick the habit, or are looking for a sweet way to start your day, apple cider vinegar gummies could be it for you.
Taking 2 apple cider gummies a day provides so many health benefits. But, they’re also a solid appetite suppressant that will help you feel satisfied and lessen cravings throughout the day. This is a great choice for people looking to snack less while still satisfying their sweet tooth daily.
Final Note
It can be difficult to kick the habit of snacking. Letting it go uncontrolled easily leads to weight gain and other complications. Thankfully, there are more than a handful of alternatives to our favorite mass-produced snacks that are just as tasty while providing us with so much more nutrients and positive effects.