Healthy Snacks and Finger Foods

If you get hungry frequently or just enjoy munching on something while you are busy, it is all too easy to fall into the trap that millions of Americans do: eating what is handy without worrying if it is healthy. Even if you have every intention of sticking to a healthy diet, if you aren't prepared during those moments where you feel the need to snack, your healthy plan can be ruined.

This is what my family did while I was growing up. We knew we would get hungry in the interim between lunch and dinner, so we made ourselves healthy snacks for the afternoon after school. These snacks were balanced, consisting of a few carrot sticks, a healthy piece of chicken or turkey, some sort of whole grain cracker or bread, and some nuts. If you plan a healthy snack for yourself, then when that temptation is gnawing at you, you can remind yourself that a healthy snack is coming.

Of course, some people live hectic lives and cannot always plan time to sit down for a healthy snack. It's also a good idea to have certain snacks with you that will tide you over when your stomach is growling but the next official meal is hours away. Here are some healthy foods that can fill you up and stave off cravings:

1. Nuts
Nuts are a smart, healthy solution. They're all-natural and taste great. They are portable and don't require refrigeration. The best reason to snack on nuts is that they contain healthy fats, which take longer to break down in your body so you don't have a rush of insulin followed by a crash. If you're used to a rollercoaster of blood sugar, nuts can help stop a bad cycle and curb cravings.

2. Fruit
Real fruit is automatically a healthy snack option. By real, I mean fruit that hasn't been processed or canned. Go for fresh cherries, strawberries or other delicious berries, perhaps accompanied by a light whipped cream. Try some sliced apples or oranges, which are sweet snacks and easy to take anywhere. Consider seedless grapes, which are just as easy to pop in your mouth as small candy but are healthy. Easiest of all, grab a banana that you can peel and snack on when you get hungry.