Contrary to fad diet belief, fat loss is not helped by fasting or embarking on plans that severely limit caloric intake. When the body isn’t properly fueled, it goes into conservation mode. This means the metabolism slows down and tries to hold on to its fat stores for dear life. This doesn’t do your goals or your body any good!
If you’re working with one of our Jackson personal trainers to develop a fat loss program, a balanced diet that includes three portion-controlled meals and two to three snacks has been recommended. Your Jackson personal trainer has probably also told you that you want to make sure those meals and snacks not only curb hunger, but also provide the body with the nutrition it needs to function properly and even assist in the fat burning effort.
If you’re stumped for snacks and can’t figure out what can help you along the way, there are plenty of options out there. If your Jackson personal trainer also has you working on muscle strengthening to speed up the fat-burning process, you’ll want to keep foods that feed the muscle in mind as you select both meals and snacks.
Some of the healthier snacks that can help rather than hinder fat loss efforts include:
- Fresh fruit – Apples, bananas, grapes, pears, blueberries and other fresh fruits are excellent snacks to pick up energy levels when they are dropping without adding a ton of calories to the mix. Fruits contain natural nutrients, fiber and even antioxidants in some cases. This makes them great to include not only on the snack menu, but also with meals. Just make sure you are eating a variety of different fruits and in low to moderate levels, as consuming too much fruit daily can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar leading to fat storage.
- Nuts – While nuts get a bad reputation because they contain fat, they also contain a lot of protein. And most of the fat is healthy fat! If muscle building is a part of your plan, low or no-salt nuts can serve as an excellent snack time pick-me-up. Also consider low or no-sugar added peanut butter.
- Yogurt – Low-fat yogurt is one of the best snack time treats out there. It offers some sweetness, but fuels the body with nutrients and adds calcium to the daily mix.
- Raw vegetables – Like fruits, raw vegetables can bring a lot of nutrients to the table. Plus, they are excellent for satisfying a craving to crunch something. Most veggies are high in fiber, which make you feel fuller.
- Popcorn – A small serving of unbuttered, unsalted air popped popcorn can also work in well with a diet plan to lose fat.
- Whole grain crackers – Top two or three crackers off with low-fat cheese or peanut butter and this will count as a power snack for curbing hunger while feeding muscle.
Boosting the metabolism by eating throughout the day in the proper portions can greatly assist the fat loss effort. Selecting the right snacks, however, is essential for making the program work. For other ideas on snacks for fat loss, consult with a Jackson personal trainer at Raising The Barr Fitness.
