If you’re a stress eater, don’t eat those feelings away! Here are some low calorie snacks you can munch on to fight those midday hunger pangs without feeling guilt ridden.
#1 Low fat yogurt
Regular consumption of yogurt helps reduce brain activity that handles emotion (stress and anxiety) and increase activity in the ‘decision-making’ regions of the brain. Yogurt’s also chock-full of calcium and protein, and is great if you’re looking to shed some weight, so aim for around 200 calories worth of low fat yogurt and throw in a handful of berries to make it tastier!
#2 Asparagus
Asparagus are loaded with folic acid, various vitamins, fibre and antioxidants. There’s nothing bad about having too much of it other than the fact the it makes your pee smell funny. Which isn’t a big deal, considering you’ll need the folic acid and vitamin B it gives to produce serotonin (positive brain chemicals).
#3 Unsalted nuts
Flush with vitamins B and E which provide a boost to your immune system, nuts are also loaded with zinc, Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, which are great for soothing stress. Go for a pack of unsalted trail mix for a serotonin-inducing munch.
#4 Sweet potato
Eating sweet potatoes boosts your serotonin production while supplying your bod with fibre, carbs, vitamins and minerals that are good for both your heart and mind. In addition, sweet potatoes negate pesky sugar cravings because they’re already subtly sweet. So yay for double efficiency!
#5 Carrot
Another root vegetable you can go for is carrot. We love munching on boiled baby carrots mixed with a dash of salt or butter. They are the yummiest mid day snack ever! Other than the awesome vitamins and fibre it provides, carrots are great for your eyes too.
#6 Banana
Reach for a banana the next time you need an instant pick-me-up. They contain tryptophan, a protein that converts into serotonin, the feel-good chemical that makes you happier. Also, bananas are packed with vitamin B, potassium, iron, fibre and many other health benefits that help alleviate PMS, boost brainpower… the list goes on.
#7 Dark chocolate
This unexpected superfood is laden with cancer-preventing antioxidants, and minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, fibre etc. It also lowers blood cholesterol, reduce stress hormone levels, and improves alertness, concentration and memory recall. Milk chocolates are a NO NO ’cause they’re sugar-filled and overly processed. Only go for dark chocolate with 70% to 90% cocoa.
#8 Orange/Grapefruit
Stocking up on vitamin C helps reduce stress levels, and fruits like oranges and grapefruits get the job done. Also, breathing in citrus scents curbs stress and anxiety, eases nausea, improves moods and even reduces food cravings while increasing metabolism – just peel one and take a whiff!
Image Credits: Getty, Pixabay
Having a filling breakfast and lunch removes the urge for a midday snack. If you want to avoid snacking, these filling high protein breakfast recipes are your best friends!
