10 Healthy Weight Loss Snacks

There are a surprising number of snacks that are healthy, nutritious, tasty and can help you towards your weight loss goals

Healthy snacks are an important part of any weight loss plan. Eating five or six times a day can actually make it easier to lose weight.

When we eat five or six times a day, we keep our metabolism functioning at its best and we avoid getting too hungry, which tempts us to overeat.

In order to eat five or six times each day, you'll need to have some healthy snacks on hand that can keep you feeling full without giving you too many calories.

10 Healthy Snacks for Natural Weight Loss

1. Healthy Snack - Fruits

Everybody loves fruit, and it can really help curb a sweet tooth. Choose fresh fruits rather than canned ones whenever possible.

And, choose whole fruits rather than fruit juices. When you eat whole fruit, you get fiber that is lacking when you drink fruit juices. In addition, many fruit juices contain added sugar.

2. Healthy Snack - Nuts

Nuts are high in fat and high in calories so they must be eaten in moderation. But, they are a great healthy snack. They contain fats that are good for our hearts, and they are a very filling snack, too. To avoid blowing your calories for the day, eat just a handful.

3. Healthy Snack - Vegetables

Cut veggies are the perfect snack. They are filling and have very few calories. And, because they're eaten raw, they are filled with nutrients and anti-oxidants.

4. Healthy Snack - Hummus

When you want a great dip, choose hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas, olive oil and garlic. It's a healthy snack because it's loaded with fiber, nutrients, anti-oxidants and healthy fats. Paired with veggies or whole grain crackers, it's the perfect way to satisfy the need to munch.

5. Healthy Snack - Popcorn

If you choose your popcorn wisely, it can be a very healthy snack. Popcorn is made from whole grains, has very few calories, and is very filling. Watch the butter and salt, though.

6. Healthy Snack - Cheese

Low fat cheese like string cheese is a great healthy snack. It's filled with protein, and it's very filling. It's also filled with calcium, which many people don't get enough of in their everyday diets.

7. Healthy Snack - Yogurt

Yogurt is also a great source of calcium. It contains protein, and may have fruit mixed in, as well. In addition, yogurt contains healthy bacteria that are good for our digestive systems. Choose low fat or non fat yogurt, and watch out for added sugars, too.

8. Healthy Snack - Guacamole

Guacamole is another high fat snack. But, avocados are made from good fats, and this is a healthy snack that will keep you feeling full for a long time. Add some lime juice and some onion, and you're getting vitamin C and antioxidants, too.

9. Healthy Snack - Sweet Potato Fries

We don't often think of fries as a healthy snack. But, if the potatoes are sweet potatoes, and the fries are lightly drizzled in vegetable oil and then baked, the result is a very healthy snack.

10. Healthy Snack - Edamame

Edamame are soybeans, and they are very trendy right now. Roasted edamame taste great; have lots of nutrients, and very few calories. They are filled with protein, which makes them a healthy snack that really fills you up.