Be honest, there are moments when a bunch of chips simply ends up in your palm, and you do not even know how it got there. We’ve all been there. But what would it mean to have snacking as something less of a guilty pleasure and more of the strategy, a delicious one at that, and an intriguing part of your life?
Here is the 200-calorie snacks sweet spot. It is just enough to prevent hunger, your energy and provide that mighty kick of nutrients without unravelling your plans.
Forget sad, tiny portions. We are about to enter a realm of fulfilment, science-based and, quite frankly, delicious choices.
Why 200 Calories is Magic
It’s not an arbitrary number. Nutritionists tend to indicate a range of 150-250 calories as the correct range of calories that should be consumed as a between-meal bite. It’s enough to:
Tame Hunger Beast: A 200-calorie snack contains protein and fiber, which will stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you off the notorious 3 PM energy crashes and the following frenzied sugar bomb consumption.
Burn Fat: Eating every 3-4 hours convinces your body to build more fat, we do not need to save any more! This could help your metabolic engine running.
Snack in Nutrients: Snack as a nutritional bonus round. It is an opportunity to increase vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you may have skipped during the mealtime.
You are snack-ready to upgrade? The following are some of the genius combos that are far beyond the number of calories they contain.
High-Protein Options
1. The Hard-Boiled Egg Duo: Two large hard-boiled eggs.Simple, portable and a source of nutritional powerhouse. The fun part is this: the eggs are one of the few sources of Vitamin D that is essential to the work of immune system and mood. Combine them with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning and you have a savory, full-filling snack that will last you several hours.
2. The Greek Yogurt Wonder: 3/4 cup of plain,non-fat Greek yogurt with a 1/2 cup of berries. The Greek yogurt is strained and hence the reason why it contains twice the protein content of common yogurt. This is a slow-digesting protein, casein, which takes its time releasing amino acids to your body muscles. The berries serve as a burst of fiber and anti-oxidants known as polyphenols, which are mini-bodyguards of your cells.
The Crunch Cravers
3. The Apple & Almond Alliance: 12 almonds on one medium apple.This is the perfect match in the masterpiece of balance. The apple is rich in fiber and also hydrates the body and the almonds contain healthy fats and proteins and surprisingly a lot of Vitamin E. However, here is a fun fact, crunchy, fibrous foods such as apples also help to quench the psychological desire of something substantial, which makes you feel like you have eaten more than you have.
4. The Edamame Sprinkle: 1 cup edamame that is steamed and sprinkled with a bit of sea salt. Edamame are young soybeans, and they are a complete plant-based protein, i.e. they are a source of all nine essential amino acids your body cannot produce itself. Their popping out of the shells makes you slower as well, so that your snack isn’t mindless, but an active one.
The Sweet Tooth Satisfiers
5. The Dark Chocolate and Almond Joy: 3 squares(on average 30g) of 70% dark chocolate and 10 almonds. Yes, chocolate is on the list! The dark chocolate of high quality is full of flavanols that are known to enhance blood circulation and heart conditions. The almonds provide the body with fat that slows the release of the sugar instead of spiking and crashing. It is an opulent, refined snack, which is like a treat.
6. The Ricotta & Honey Dream: 1/2 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon Honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.Ricotta is a fresh cheese, which makes it light and creamy with a high level of protein. The snack is dessert-like yet gives your bones a calcium push. The cinnamon is not only good as a flavoring, but was found to moderate the blood sugar levels.
The Pro-Snacker Tip
A bowl may turn out to be the most interesting item in your 200-calorie kit. It has been found that individuals who get out the bag and eat the snacks directly have nearly always eaten more. Putting your snack either on a plate, or in a bowl sends a message to your brain that it is something different and something good. You’ll like it better and feel more contented.
Conclusion
Thus, when snack attack strikes the next time, use it as an opportunity to enjoy these 200 calorie snacks. A chance to fill up, to eat something good and to enjoy a little fascinating lift to your health.
Happy snacking !
