Losing weight is nearly always a challenge. And, once you get older, your metabolism slows down, and it’s not always easy to get that extra gym time in to get an extra metabolic rate increase via exercise. Here are a variety of healthy snacks that can jump start your metabolism, helping you to not only make your weight loss goals, but also fuel your body for when you do get a chance to get your workout in!
Apples
Apples are high in fiber, and also are a healthy carbohydrate (i.e. sugar) – so your insulin won’t spike and drop, keeping you from a sugar crash! Low in calories, and high in vitamin C, apples can also help boost your immune system as well!
Almonds
A hand full of almonds can help kill hunger pains, and reduce heart disease as well! The monounsaturated fat in almonds is a healthy fat, which can also help you process carbs and proteins better.
Broccoli
High in fiber as well as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, broccoli can also help you feel full longer. The dietary fiber in broccoli also is great for boosting your metabolism.
Canned Tuna
Easy to prepare, and quite portable, canned tuna is a great snack when you’re on-the-go! High in protein, tuna is great for boosting your metabolism, while also fueling muscle growth. Just shoot for albacore tuna, which is healthier and leaner than other types of canned tuna.
Cottage Cheese
Full of amino acids, zinc, potassium, magnesium and best of all – protein, cottage cheese (especially low-fat or non-fat varieties) is an extremely healthy snack. And, as it’s also rich in antioxidants, cottage cheese can also help you improve your digestion and regulate your blood sugar!
Beef Jerky
Plain beef jerky (as opposed to flavored jerky) – is a great source of protein, which boots your metabolism, as protein takes more work for your body to digest than carbs or fat. If you want a lower fat content for your healthy snacks, look for turkey jerky.
Asparagus
If you have time to prepare it, asparagus is a great snack! Besides the benefits of a high level of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, asparagus is also considered a “negative calorie food item”. What this means is it takes more calories to eat asparagus than you ingest – the perfect way to feel fuller while burning calories!
