Choose Healthy Snacks

Select foods that satisfy your hunger, supply your body with energy and provide important nutrients. Opt for snacks of 100 calories or less to stay within your daily calorie goal. You can eat more of foods with low energy density, such as carrots, grapes and air-popped popcorn, for your 100 calories. Choose snacks from these food groups:

 Fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables provides a feeling of fullness with no fat and only a small number of calories. Fruits and vegetables also provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients.

 Whole grains. Whole-grain snacks are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which give you energy with staying power. Look for items such as low-fat whole-grain crackers, whole-grain pretzels and whole-grain crispbreads.

 Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds provide protein, so you will feel fuller longer. They can be high in fat, but it's mostly monounsaturated, a healthy kind of fat. Nuts and seeds are high in calories, however, so don't eat them in large quantities.

 Low-fat dairy products. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products are good sources of calcium and protein, plus many other vitamins and minerals. Dairy products can be high in fat, so choose the low-fat versions. Some yogurts have extra added sugar, so look for low-calorie or "light" varieties.

5 Foods to Improve Your Health

The first food choice is Leafy Greens. These are considered to be one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like foliate and vitamins A and C. These types of greens can lower your risk of cancer. A daily cup of dark, leafy greens can also help prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

The second healthy food choice is Nuts; such as almonds, cashews and walnuts. All of these types of nuts are high in natural fiber. Fiber slows down your digestive process eliminating hunger and unhealthy snacking.

The third food choice is Onions. Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. The stronger the onion means the greater the health benefit.

The fourth food option is eating Whole Grains. A recent study showed that a diet rich in whole rains can actually flatten your belly. This is by reducing fat that is stored in your lower abdominal region.

Lastly, the fifth food choice to improve your health is Yogurt. Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion. Be sure that you are checking the label to make sure that “active cultures" are present. This helps with your digestive track. Plus, pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to help prevent osteoporosis.