Snacking sometimes gets a bad rap, but when it’s done right, eating small amounts of food throughout the day can actually be very beneficial. Keeping your stomach full means you’re less likely to binge on bad-for-you foods late in the day, and a good snack keeps your metabolism going between your regular meals.
Plus, when you visit a certified organic store for the best health snacks in Poplar Bluff, MO, you’re doing your body a favor, since you’ll be upping your intake of good vitamins and minerals. So what kinds of foods make for a good snack? Read on for five great options.
- Unshelled Pistachios
These little guys pack quite a punch: they have plenty of protein, monounsaturated fat (which helps lower cholesterol), and fiber, plus a side serving of vitamin B. It’s important to be mindful of how many you’re eating, though: one ounce of pistachios is about 160 calories! Lucky for you, researchers have found that when snackers have to take the time to shell the nut, they eat a smaller amount.
- Frozen Grapes
If you’re craving something sweet, say hello to frozen grapes! Unlike many other fruits, grapes won’t turn into blocks of ice when they’re frozen—they’ll just be extra creamy and delicious. To get your mini grape popsicle game on, just place a layer of grapes on a baking sheet, let them freeze, and then preserve them in a zip-lock bag. Pro tip: red grapes have more antioxidants than green grapes, so buy red when you can!
- Pumpkin Seeds
Also known as ‘pepitas,’ you’ll probably notice these little guys the most around Halloween time, when they are usually thrown out with the rest of the pumpkin innards after carving. But don’t pass pumpkin seeds by as a great snack: they have an impressive seven grams of protein per serving, and the miniscule 5 grams of carbohydrates do not contain sugar, which means they’re great mixed into other foods, including salads, yogurt, and oatmeal.
- Greek Yogurt
A serving of plain Greek yogurt is another great snack. This type of yogurt is luxuriously thick and creamy, because all of the liquid is strained away—meaning it also has a lot more protein than its regular yogurt brethren. You’ll get about 23 grams of protein per cup, and your stomach will thank you, because Greek yogurt has a lot of calcium and probiotic bacteria (great for digestion). Some people also report that Greek yogurt is easier on their sensitive stomachs than other dairy products.
- Kale Chips
If you need something crunchy to nosh on, give kale chips a try. They might not sound great, but wait ’til you try them! Kale is packed with nutrients, and the chip variety has a lot less carbs than your regular bag of potato crisps.
Now that you’ve got a few ideas for the best health snacks in Poplar Bluff, MO, get out to your local organic health food store and stock up!