The Best Healthy Snacks!

I find myself snacking a ton throughout the day and under different circumstances...this could be a very bad thing if I was eating a ton of processed sugars or items high in fat and low in nutritional value. While fruits and vegetables are the essential items to grab if you're on the go and want something that is virtually super good for you in every way, I understand that some of us need a more bite for our snacks and these items will help you when the time drags on between meals...or you're a boredom eater like me!

I grew up Jewish and a big part of my snacking lifestyle happens to be matzo--the wonderful unleavened bread that Jews eat primarily during Passover...but it's also a great item to have throughout the year as well. While some matzo isn't too good for you, I've been eating a lot of whole wheat matzos and Manischewitz (one of the premiere kosher and Jewish food manufacturers) makes some of the tastiest ones out there. There is 110 calories per square of matzo, but because they are so big (about the size of a book!) I break one in half to snack on so that I get half the calories and it's roughly the size of a handful of crackers anyway. Whole wheat matzo has about 12 percent of your recommended fiber intake as well as about 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat (that's the good kind). If you want to take your snack up a drive, I find dippin it in hummus as one of the yummiest snacks on the planet.

I'm in the cracker mood so I might as well mention Wasa's Crispbread Light Rye crackers. These are imported from Germany, but won't break your bank as you can find a pack for three bucks and under. What's awesome about these thin crackers is that each pack comes with a ton of them and each serving is two crackers (which is 60 calories!). They're very fulfilling crackers and the light rye kind is the best for you containing more fiber than the Wasa Fiber kind (for some reason) and is completely sugar and fat free with about two grams of protein per serving. Some might complain that the crackers are tasteless, but I rather enjoy the dry and crunchy texture and it makes for a great foundation if you want to put a little bit of tofu pate on or dip it in hummus or have a delectable piece of ham or avocado over the top. The taste is great and even if you find yourself reaching for more you don't have to feel guilty as they are extremely low in calories.

When I snack I try and look for the crunchiest items as that big sound and feeling is one of my favorite parts about eating. Look no further than carrots. They're cheap and extremely low in calories (of course), but they're also extremely delicious. Another item you will love if you dig the crunch are almonds. There are certain taboos about whether or not nuts are good for you--as they can also be full of fats. However, these fats are the good types of fat for you and as long as you're not eating honey roasted peanuts or heavily processed and salty mixed nuts you're going to have some good nutrition on your hands. I opt to each regular roasted almonds without any salt because they taste amazing as almonds should taste and they couldn't be better (or cheaper) for you. Not only that, but they are a great tool if you are into exercise or hiking and walking--they will boost your workout and leave you feeling great and satiated.

My girlfriend loves popcorn and even though she doesn't have to watch her figure she always tries to eat the good types of popcorn--not the buttery and disgusting kinds. One that she and I have been enjoying is Orville Redenbacher's Natural Salt & Lime Microwave popcorn in the mini-bags. Your days of eating a full regular bag of popcorn should be over--you'll be packing on way too many calories and fats than your body should handle and you'll be surprised by how fulfilling these snack bags are. While the optimal way to eat popcorn is to cook it yourself without adding too many other ingredients, sometimes you need the convenient things in life. The salt and lime flavor may sound weird at first, but the flavor is wonderful and crisp. This popcorn smells FRESH as weird as that sounds. This product does carry a lot of fat as it is, but I reserve this for when I treat myself--and split between two people these snack bags offer a great treat that won't completely derail your diet. On the plus side, all of the ingredients are natural.

I really love dried fruit--especially dried apricots and when eaten right these little monsters won't negatively affect you. Dried fruit, apricots in particular--are full of sugars and carbohydrates that could very well be a bad idea if you are sitting around eating a full bag of them. However, these dried apricots also come crammed with a crap load of fiber, which is essential for your bodies functions as well as feeling full. These are very instrumental for your success at losing weight as a tool to eat before you workout. The sugars and carbs will be jumping through your body giving you heaps of energy whether it's weight lifting or cardio and these are essential to my snacking routines. That said, they also can carry a hefty pricetag depending on where you get them, but I say the price is very reasonable considering the health benefits.

Beef--it's what's tasty. Moreso: jerky! Oh, Boy! Oberto is hands down the best brand of mainstream jerky on the market and their Teriyaki flavor is one of the yummiest things ever created. Jerky is extremely low in fat and carries heaps of proteins for your post-workout snacking regimen. While there is a lot of salt that comes along with it, as long as you drink a ton of water you should be perfectly fine. You'll get all the wonderful flavor as well as all of the nutrition to make you feel good without tasting bad. If you are against beef, there's also natural brands Oberto makes that include turkey and other health-conscious ones. However, if you're looking for a bang for your buck as far as flavor and nutrition is concerned I would have to fully recommend the Teriyaki beef--you will not be disappointed with the results from your workout nor the flavor at your disposal.

The pickle is always overlooked for some reason--and I don't know why. They are relatively cheap by the jar, they are mighty tasty, and, believe it or not, most times they are calorie free, fat free, and ridiculously good for you--despite the heavy salt you may endure. I eat kosher pickles (remember: Jewish background) and these guys are awesome for any occasion whether it's midnight snacking or something else. They carry a ton of crunch to them, are very satisfying, and actually leave me quite full after one or two. They are completely guilt-free as you're not introducing your body to anything tremendously bad and the calorie-free nomenclature has GOT to bring a smile to your face.

I'm a carb-type of guy--the saltier, the better. If you're looking for sweets, I'll have to create another guide. These should be in your fridge or pantry right now if you are keen to lose weight as they are mighty affordable and chock full of great nutritional value to help you feel fuller and better when those times arrive that you can't avoid snacking. A great tip is to find snacks that are all natural, extremely low in fat, and aren't heavily processed. Your best bet is to always have fruits and veggies at your arsenal as they are the best type of snack for you, but these are awesome if you're still trying to break down some walls in your life as far as snacks are concerned and if you want a positive reinforcement for your exercise regimens. Happy snacking!