If You Could Only Choose One Snack For The Rest of Your Life What Would It Be?

November 15, 2007 by admin

by: Jayson Hunter RD, CSCS

There was a survey done that asked this same question and women chose

1. Chips
2. Chocolate
3. Cake, cookies, brownies

This is interesting because most people say they crave sweets first and then salt, but both men and women in this survey mentioned chips first. Now I don't know the answer as to why this happens, but I do know neither choice is a healthy one if you want to [tag]lose weight[/tag].

Here is an excerpt from my new ebook being released in just under 2 weeks. It is a list of superfoods that I suggest to my clients that would make great snacks to promote [tag]fat loss[/tag] instead of weight gain.

1. Fruit
The following fruits are high in antioxidants to help prevent disease. They also contain flavonoids that help with eyesight and coordination. The dark-colored fruits also provide fiber and boost your immune system.

Fruits I especially recommend:

• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Guava (great source of lycopene)
• Goji berries
• Dried plums

2. Nuts
Nuts are a great source of fiber, vitamin B6, niacin, magnesium, healthy monounsaturated fats, protein and more. Nuts help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may help maintain healthy blood vessels, as well.

Nuts I especially recommend:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Cashews
• Brazil nuts
• Hazelnuts

3. Vegetables
A variety of color is key when selecting vegetables. For example, orange carrots are a great source of beta carotene, which can reduce the risk of cancer. Red tomatoes contain lycopene, another powerful antioxidant for reducing the risk of cancer. Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, contain carotenoids that improve your immune system and are full of vitamins and minerals. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale and other cruciferous vegetables contain cancer-fighting properties.

Vegetables I especially recommend:

• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Beets
• Cabbage
• Swiss chard
• Purslane (used as a salad green or herb)

The next time you have the urge to reach for the chips or chocolate like this survey shows take a moment and ask yourself why you want to look better. Then ask yourself if the food you are about to eat will accomplish that goal. If it doesn't then avoid it and instead choose one of the healthier choices above.