Healthy Snacks: Keep Them Handy

So there I am, standing in front of the fridge with the doors open. I’m hungry. But there’s no Greek yogurt. I’m out of salad. And I already ate last night’s quinoa.

I turn to the pantry. No almonds. No bananas to save me. Just a bag of salty pretzels.

This is where it gets dicey.

If I give in to the pretzels, I’ll be swelling up from all the sodium within an hour.

Quickly, I head to the store. I’m shopping while hungry, but at least I can get what I need. And those free samples of freshly-cut strawberries in the produce section taste great, too.

It’s a valuable lesson. Keep a stockpile of healthy food within reach. If you’re that hungry, you might eat whatever tastes good regardless of whether it’s nutritious or low calorie. You don’t want to sabotage your weight loss goals.

Of course, you should consult a Registered Dietitian for foods that meet your dietary needs. Here are some types of different snacks I like to keep around the house:

• Bananas – They stay fresh for days without refrigeration. But best of all, they fit easily inside a purse or laptop bag.
• Raw, unsalted almonds – They stay fresh for weeks in the can. You only need a few to keep hunger at bay. And they’re packed with protein and healthy fat. Some nuts keep well in the fridge, too.
• Pre-cut fruit – Perfect for that sweets craving we all get after dinner. Keep a big fruit salad in your fridge to keep your hand out of the cookie jar. Fruit salad is great for breakfast, too.
• Pre-washed salad greens – Eating salad is more tempting if you take the prep work out of it. Just toss it in a bowl with a little low-calorie balsamic vinaigrette.
• Pre-washed baby carrots – Not only are they slightly sweet but they give your mouth some exercise, too. If you’re really hungry, try dipping them lightly in some hummus, which is packed with protein.
• Hard-boiled eggs – These can stay fresh up to five days in the fridge. They contain enough protein to satisfy real hunger pangs.

Of course, it takes some planning and forethought to keep healthy snacks you like to eat readily available in your kitchen. But once you get into the habit of it, you won’t waste your time on a bag of pretzels.

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Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.