Although hunger is a natural response, it can also be very disruptive if you are trying to stick to a particular diet.
That’s because in addition to the physical sensations that hunger can cause, feeling hungry can also make you engage in a mental battle of wills where you try hard to prevent yourself from eating junk food, but ultimately fail because that is the kind of food that is most accessible at your home or workplace.
However, it is important to keep in mind that snacking by itself is not a bad thing. In fact, there are several very healthy things you can eat when hunger strikes, and many of them are explored below.
1. Tuna With Dijon Mustard
If you keep your serving size of tuna down to just over an ounce and then use a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to add flavor, you’ll be munching on a snack that’s less than 50 calories.
This snack could work to help you avoid unhealthy foods if you get hungry between meals at work. It’s easy to get canned tuna at the grocery store and then store packs of mustard in your desk drawer.
2. A Miniature Box Of Raisins
These are often marketed to parents that want to pack healthy lunches for their kids, but who says adults can’t enjoy them too? Raisins are good choices because they are very portable. You can stash a few boxes in your tote bag or purse so they are within easy reach when your tummy starts growling.
The caloric count will differ depending on the size of the box, so be sure to take account of that when choosing between brands as you shop. Also, unlike some other sweet treats that can become messy, raisins are very easy to eat without hassles.
You can even just pour them in your mouth straight from the box if you want to avoid getting your hands slightly sticky from the raisins’ texture.
3. Pretzel Sticks
Pretzel sticks are great for indulging a craving for a little salt. However, be sure not to eat too many in one sitting. Depending on the size and width of each stick, you may want to eat just one or two during each snacking session.
If you find it difficult to eat a limited amount when the bag is in front of you, make individual servings by using smaller plastic bags, and only bring one with you per day.
4. A Salmon And Cracker Sandwich
Wheat crackers are good for using to make mini sandwiches. You should be able to find several varieties, such as those that are low in salt or high in fiber. If your fat intake is a genuine concern, many brands make reduced-fat versions of their popular wheat cracker brands.
Many people find that wheat crackers on their own are too dry, but you can make the snack more palatable by adding a thin slice of salmon between two crackers.
5. Sliced Turkey And Lettuce Leaves
Do you find it difficult to eat lettuce by itself? If so, see how your taste buds respond when you place a rolled up slice of lean turkey meat between two large lettuce leaves. The flavors offered by those two ingredients may be enticing enough to make you frequently choose these items for your snack of choice.
Also, this snacking solution is very kind to the budget. Many packages of pre-cut turkey meat have at least 10 slices in them, and a large head of lettuce contains numerous leaves you can use. These two ingredients together should be a little over five dollars, but could provide healthy snacks for at least a week.
6. A Dill Pickle
Although it’s often added to hamburgers, a dill pickle can also be a worthy snack, with some pickles containing just 10 calories. The distinctive flavor may also help tame your hunger because it helps you feel you’re eating something interesting and definitely not bland.
7. Strips Of Dried Fruit
If you live a lifestyle that requires you to often be on the go, it can be difficult to find snacks to eat as you drive or otherwise stay on the move. Why not try eating some dried fruit strips. These pre-packaged treats are presented in such a way as they’ll stay fresh even when exposed to changing climates.
Also, since they don’t have to be refrigerated like some actual fruits do, you can safely eat them anywhere, even if a box of them has been sitting in your car for a couple of weeks.
Furthermore, it is usually easy to find several different flavors to try. That means if you aren’t a fan of strawberries but think blueberries are the best, at least one store in your area probably has both of those, plus even more varieties.
8. Spreadable Cheese On Low-Fat Crackers
Many companies offer cheese that you can quickly spread on crackers or bread. Some even have different flavors to explore. If you choose wisely, it’s possible to find brands that have plenty of protein and then pair them with crackers that are high in fiber. Then, you’ll have a yummy snack that’s appealing, but still low in calories.
9. Freeze-Dried Fruits
Look in the produce section of your grocery store to see if you can find freeze-dried varieties of fruits such as apples. Those are prepared and packaged for maximum freshness, and they may even have the calorie count listed on the front of the package so you can see at a glance which brands best fit with your dietary goals.
10. Vegetable Chips
If you’re looking for a healthy way to tame your craving for potato chips, search for chips made out of other vegetables that could be healthier, such as sweet potatoes and kale. As with the other items on this list, be sure to carefully check the amount of calories per serving to avoid eating more than you imagined as you snack.
11. A Slice Of Watermelon
This sweet summertime treat is a good choice if you’re being mindful of calories, because most of its weight is made up of water. As a result, you should find it’s very filling, but probably won’t have to worry about eating too much of it.
A cup of watermelon has less than 47 calories. Also, if you scoop the fruit from the rind while using a melon baller, and then put the balls in the freezer, you’ll have made a healthy snack that should take care of your cravings for other sweet options that are higher in calories, such as ice cream.
12. A Handful Of Nuts
Nuts can be great choices if you’re engaging in mindful munching. Try portioning out nuts and putting them into individual containers that you can enjoy whenever the urge strikes. This method could prevent you from doing things like caving into the lure of the vending machine.
Now that you have numerous suggestions for sensible snack choices, hopefully it will be clear that you don’t have to make poor choices out of hunger. Start changing habits today by keeping healthy picks within reach.
