Snacks, carefully chosen for their nutritional value and satiating properties, can keep you feeling full and energized longer. The problem of hunger pangs and cravings has always plagued humans since they started eating food. Sometimes, even though we eat well during the day, we still get hungry at night. That’s why some people resort to snacking between meals or consuming unhealthy foods.

Your Snacks and Eating Habits Can Make a Difference in Your Health

There are many reasons why your body craves food after dinner time. It could be because you have been fasting all day long and your metabolism is slowing down. Or it could also be due to hormonal changes in your body. Whatever the reason may be, there are ways to keep yourself full longer without having to snack on junk food.

Healthy Snacks That Will Help You Stay Fuller For Longer:

1. Oatmeal

This is one of the best snacks that can keep you full for hours. Just add milk and honey to make it more delicious. This breakfast staple is rich in fiber and protein which helps you feel satiated for longer periods.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt contains probiotics which are beneficial for digestion. They also provide calcium which keeps teeth strong, bones healthy, and joints lubricated. Add blueberries and Greek yogurt to make this snack healthier.

3. Apple

Apples contain plenty of vitamin C, potassium, and other minerals which keep our skin glowing, hair shiny, and nails strong. These fruits also reduce inflammation in the body which makes them great choices for people with arthritis. Apples also contain quercetin, a natural antioxidant that protects the immune system from damage caused by free radicals.

4. Celery

Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that provides lots of vitamins and nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus which are essential for energy production in the body. In addition, celery contains folate which prevents homocysteine levels in the blood from rising. High levels of homocysteine can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

5. Bananas

Bananas are packed with potassium, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and helps us convert carbs into glucose. Potassium is required for the proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles while fiber aids digestion.

6. Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts are high in monounsaturated fats which are excellent sources of antioxidants like vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. All these nutrients protect our eyes against macular degeneration; an eye disease leading to blindness. Pistachios pack a good dose of copper too.

7. Milk

Milk is rich in calcium which strengthens our bones. Regular consumption of milk helps prevent osteoporosis and maintain bone health. Milk is also loaded with vitamins A and D which improve our immunity.

8. Eggs

Eggs are very nutritious and easy to prepare. Scramble 2 eggs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter and top it with spinach and tomato slices. Enjoy!

9. Beans

Beans are very filling and contain slow-digesting proteins. You can easily enjoy beans as dips, soups, or salads. Black bean soup is a perfect example of how simple but tasty beans can be.

Snacks Can Take A Lot Of Time To Prepare And Have

The last thing that you want when you’re starving is to spend 10 minutes preparing a snack. That’s a lot of time when you’re trying to get back into the game. So don’t do that. Instead, take a few seconds to grab something quick and convenient. Generally, we recommend a handful of nuts because they’re inexpensive, portable, and filling. We don’t generally suggest cheese because most cheeses have extra salt, fat, sugar, or preservatives that aren’t good for your heart. Instead, stick with string cheese or fresh fruit.

In Between Snacks, Try Water

Water should always be consumed between meals and snacks because it will help curb hunger pangs. Plus, water will fill you up faster than anything else so you won’t feel hungry again soon after eating. It’s also recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water every day to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration. The best way to ensure you’re doing so is through drinking enough filtered tap water.

The Bottom Line on Snacks

If you regularly skip breakfast, try to eat something around seven o’clock in the morning before going back to sleep. This time gives your stomach a little more time to start working on breaking down food instead of right away. Also, if you frequently skip lunch or dinner, eat half of your plate during breakfast to give yourself some fuel for those times. Finally, keep foods handy to munch on throughout the day — not just in between meals. Most of these don’t cost any real money, but they’ll make all the difference in being able to fight off hunger pangs without having to go out and spend dough.