TheBest Healthy Snacks

The 7 Best Healthy Snacks

Need a lateafternoon lift? Try cottage cheese. It a great source of protein and calcium, and is also high in tryptophan an amino acid that boosts serotonin. For a tasty power snack, combine cup of lowfat cottage cheese with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed an excellent source of lignans, plant estrogens that may soothe mood swings and other menstrual symptoms in women, according to the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Grapefruit may make you slimmer. According to a Scripps Clinic study published in Journal of Medicinal Food, people who ate half a grapefruit before each meal lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The researchers found that grapefruit may have specific properties that reduce insulin levels, which helps the body process foods more efficiently and store less fat. Plus, both the pink and red varieties contain lycopene, which is good for your heart. Glassman recommends sprinkling 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts and teaspoon of cinnamon on half a grapefruit, then broiling the combo for one minute. Research shows the omega3 fatty acids found in walnuts can reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis.

Turn your nachos into a flavorful cancerfighting fiesta by substituting fresh cucumber and avocado salsa for the storebought red stuff. is rich in glutathione, a substance that specifically blocks the intestinal absorption of certain fats that cause oxidative damage, says Glassman. disrupts normal cellular functioning and can lead to cancerous tumors. Also helpful: The monounsaturated fats in avocados helps slow down the emptying of the stomach, so you feel satisfied longer. Cucumber, meanwhile, is rich in potassium and magnesium, which combats high blood pressure and helps eliminate uric acid which may prevent kidney stones. To make the salsa, cut into pieces one peeled sliced cucumber and avocado; then combine with lemon juice and salt to taste. Bonus points if you swap whole wheat crackers for chips.

This sweet snack is packed with nutrients that help skin stay clear and eyes sharp. medium sweet potato can contain more than 400 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin A, which helps promote the growth of healthy skin cells, and more eyehealthy beta carotene than any other fruit or vegetable, Glassman says. To make guiltfree sweet potato fries, cut 1/2 sweet potato into 1/8inch strips. Place on a baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 1012 minutes.

Make your midday munch artichoke hearts and your skin with thank you. Inflammation in the body can lead to blemishes and acne breakouts, as well as wrinkles. contain phytochemicals that act as antiinflammatory agents in the skin, making them the ultimate beauty food, Glassman And with 10 grams of slowburning fiber in just one artichoke, this super snack will stave off hunger pangs until dinner. Simply steam four canned artichoke hearts in water and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web sitemany of the advertisements are served by third party advertising companies.