The 1-Minute Weight Loss Cheat Sheet – Quick Shortcuts & Tactics for Busy Women (3 page)

BOOK: The 1-Minute Weight Loss Cheat Sheet – Quick Shortcuts & Tactics for Busy Women
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Why eat beef jerky for a snack? One simple word: protein.

Protein is the building blocks of life. Eating protein for a snack can play an important role in helping you to lose weight, as well as maintain a healthy lifestyle. Protein does a lot to help keep you from feeling hungry. It gives you the energy you need to keep going, and it will not leaving you feeling ravished and ready to raid the kitchen for whatever you can get your hands on.

On a scientific level, proteins are important for your cell functions, so when you eat good sources of protein for your snack, it helps your body be able to keep going. It provides your body some of the nutrition that it needs, will keep you from feeling hungry, and will give you the energy you need to push on.

Beef jerky is a good source of a high protein snack, yet is not high in calorie count. You can find some good sources of beef jerky that will give you around 11 grams of protein. And the good news is that it comes with just 70 calories per serving. So this is a snack that will not hurt your waistline, but will help you with your weight and health goals.

Proteins are important to the body because they are made up of amino acids, which act like building blocks. Some of these amino acids are essential, meaning that the body cannot make them, and you need to get them through the diet. Beef jerky is a source of a complete protein that offers the body all the essential amino acids, and is low in fat. It’s a top-rated snack option that will help keep you satisfied and humming along!

To find a good source of beef jerky, check the brands in your area. Compare such things as the amount of protein per serving, as well as the sodium and fat. Choose one that will deliver a lot of protein, with little fat and not too much sodium. If you can, find fresh made beef jerky in your area or try making it yourself.

String Cheese

When is the last time you had some string cheese? As a kid, and maybe even as an adult, you have likely had some. You sat there pulling it apart, string by string, having fun, and enjoying your snack. Sure, it’s fun, but did you realize that it was actually a smart snack choice as well?

String cheese, like beef jerky, is a powerhouse of protein. It’s a snack that is going to help curb the craving to eat something and will also give you a dose of protein and some calcium to boot.

By keeping snacks like string cheese on hand, you can quickly grab a healthy snack that you can eat in minutes and meet the nutrition needs your body is craving. String cheese can be purchased at most stores, and even many convenience stores. So, like beef jerky, if you find yourself at a convenience store or gas station and need a quick snack, there is a good chance they will have some on hand. Just head over to where they keep the chilled foods and see what they have to offer.

String cheese comes in a variety of flavors and styles, including some that have more fat than others. If you are watching your weight, you will want to opt for the variety that is low fat. There is a good chance you will never know the difference in flavor because most people tend to like the low fat string cheese just as much as the full fat varieties (or at least pretty close to it).

Furthermore, string cheese can easily be taken on the go. If you
are heading out to work or school, going out for the day, or taking a hike, you will find that they are convenient to take along. When you buy them, they are already pre-packaged, making it super easy to grab and go!

Apples and Bananas

You have probably heard the old saying that an apple a day helps to keep the doctor away. Well, there is some truth to that!

Apples and bananas, like most plant-based foods, are loaded with nutrients. Not only are they good for you and tasty, but they are packed with things that you can’t see, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants. These things help to keep you healthy on a level you may not even be aware of. For example, antioxidants help to fight cancer and keep your cells healthy.

Apples, for example, have about 5 grams of fiber each. And it is fiber that helps to fill your stomach up and keep you from feeling hungry. There are many different types of phytonutrients in apples, which help to regulate your blood sugar. When your blood sugar stays regulated, you are less likely to feel like you are on a roller coaster ride, where you are starving one minute and then full the next, and then back to starving.

Keeping your blood sugar regulated is an important key when it comes to smart snacking. You want to pick snacks that are not going to send your blood sugar level spiking too high, or that will make it fall too low. If your blood sugar level stays at a healthy level, you will feel good. Choosing healthy snacks is a key to helping keep your blood sugar level regulated and at a healthy level.

Apples and bananas are loaded with the nutrients that your body needs. Plus, they are super convenient and easy to take on the go. When it comes to apples, you can also find a variety of different kids, so it helps to keep things interesting. Try the variety of apples, ranging from green to red or yellow, and sample the various flavors.

A great way to eat your apple and also add some protein and healthy fats in is to slice it up and have it with a small serving of almond butter. The almond butter is a healthy source of protein, tastes great paired with the apple, and will help to meet those protein needs and keep you from getting hungry so quickly.

Protein Bars

Remember all that you have read so far about the importance of protein? Well there is another simple, healthy, and convenient way to get your protein in the form of a snack. It’s the protein bar!

Over the last decade or so, protein bars have really taken off and become mainstream. While they were once something that could only be purchased at health food stores, today you can walk into any Target or Walmart and find an aisle filled with protein bar choices. They are individually wrapped and the perfect size, making them an ideal snack for home or on the go.

The good thing about protein bars, too, is that there are many different brands, types, and flavors. It would be difficult to become bored of protein bars because you could simply switch flavors or try a new kind. The variety is plentiful!

Protein bars will give you a hearty dose of protein and have been designed to be a perfect snack food. They are loaded with nutrition and are usually low in fat and calories. With most protein bars that are available today, you simply can’t go wrong.

There are many types of protein bars that focus on different things, including performance, being a complete meal substitute, light options, muscle-building, and others. All you need to do is try a few protein bars in order to find the ones you like and that fit your health goals. Be sure to compare such things as the amount of protein, fat, and sodium so that you can choose a healthy protein bar option.

One of the great things about protein bars as a healthy snack is that they are so convenient. They are sold in most stores and convenience markets, and they can be transported anywhere. Forget buying popcorn at the movies. Simply take along a protein bar in your pocket or purse and you are set. You will make it through the movies, have a snack, and you won’t ruin your diet or health goals!

Protein bars are a top pick for those looking for a quick pick-me-up that packs a power protein punch, as well as some other healthy nutrients.

Nuts

Nuts are one of the healthiest snacks you can ever have. Some people pick up the jar of nuts, look at the back label, and set it back down. They do this because of the fat content, but they shouldn’t!

What most people don’t understand is that the fats that are in nuts are healthy fats. So they are okay to have. They are actually good for your body! Your body needs healthy sources of fats, and nuts are one of the few foods that will deliver them. But beyond being a healthy source of fats, they are also a great source of protein, and they have other nutrients that the body needs to be healthy.

In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who try to lose weight are more successful when they stick to that of a Mediterranean Diet that includes nuts. They also found that those who eat a handful of nuts each day are better at controlling their weight.

What this means for someone who likes to snack and that needs to find healthy snacks, is that they should opt for eating a handful of nuts when they need a snack. The healthy snack will keep them feeling and looking great.

There are a lot of different types of nuts to choose from, but some are even better for you than others. So just which ones are the best?


        
Walnuts
– They are loaded with heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.


        
Almonds
– They are loaded with Vitamin E, which helps your body age healthy.

Stick to these two types of nuts and you can’t go wrong. Just make sure to eat them in moderation.

Protein Shake

There are times when you just want a beverage as a snack. Everyone wants to do that from time to time. But what you reach for can make a big difference when it comes to your diet.

If you reach for a soda, you are usually going to get a bunch of high fructose corn syrup, which is linked to obesity. If you reach for some other drinks, you may end up with a lot of empty calories in the form of sugar. There are also options that will leave you with a lot of fat, such as ice cream or fast food shakes.

But there is a better option. A protein shake, which you can make yourself or buy pre-made. They will provide you with a lot of protein and nutrients, and they will help you avoid the high fructose corn syrup and sugary drinks, which will spike your insulin, as well as add
ing empty calories to your day.

Protein shakes have been beneficial in helping many people to lose weight, as well as maintain a healthy, athletic body.

To find a good protein shake that fits your weight loss and health goals, stop by a local health food store or GNC and speak with someone that works there. They can help answer questions about which ones are ideal for what you want to do (lose weight, build muscle, etc.). Me, I usually buy Optimum Nutrition’s whey protein from Amazon.com. It works especially well with my 1-Day Diet.

Protein shakes may not be quite as easy to have on the run, unless you have made it up ahead of time or are buying them pre-made. However, if you are going to be around the house and want a good healthy pick-me-up, a protein shake will deliver the nutrition you need!

Cottage Cheese and Fruit

Looking for a healthy alternative to yogurt? Look no further than a cup of cottage cheese and cut up fruit!

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