When trying to lose weight, many people view snacking as an enemy. And don’t get us wrong: it is true that loading yourself up with snacks rich in calories can set you back in your weight loss goals.

But selecting the right snacks? That can help you manage hunger while you work towards a shorter waistline.

A Quick Point on Weight Loss Nutrition

Weight loss programs usually include 3 solid meals per day, plus 1 to 2 snacks. You should not skip your meals and severely restrict your intake of calories, as this can lead to the opposite of what you want to achieve. Instead, you’ll want to keep your body fueled with healthy snacks that will satisfy your hunger and keep the calorie count low.

According to experts in nutrition, healthy snacks between meals in your weight loss program can…

• Prevent the sugar levels in your blood from dropping too low.
• Make you feel full and satisfied without going over your caloric intake.
• Stop you from overeating.

When You Think Snacks, Think Calories

When it comes to choosing the right kind of snacks for your weight loss program, you should opt for those that contain 100 to 150 calories. It has been shown that this amount of calories is enough to reduce your hunger without pushing you over the boundaries of your daily caloric needs.

And Go for the Healthiest Options

Healthy snacks that can make you feel full and contribute to your weight loss should contain water and a lot of fiber.

Vegetables and fruits fit that to a T. Obvious, we know, but incredibly important to keep in mind.

Besides those two categories, you should try to include protein into your snacks as well, as protein is known for its ability to suppress the appetite. Particularly awesome, high-protein snack foods are nuts and dried fruits (which also happen to be a rich source of fiber).

To Keep You on Course

“Snacks” in its most general sense are not necessarily bad for you. You can check with your physician or dietician to see what sorts of snacks would work best for you. While traditional “snack food” you’d find at the corner store should largely be avoided, allowing yourself to snack within the recommended amount of calories in your daily intake can help achieve your optimal results, not negatively affect what you want to accomplish.