Maintaining a healthy weight is important for avoiding disease, prolonging your life, and retaining a strong self-image. Some folks, in the interest of keeping their weight down, have sworn off eating any snacks between meals. Research suggests that they might be overplaying their hand. While limiting calories in general is a sound weight loss strategy, you don’t have to abandon snacks altogether. After all, getting hungry between meals is a completely normal phenomenon, and there’s nothing wrong with giving your stomach what it wants when it starts growling. The key is to choose healthy, nutritious snacks that satisfy your hunger without adding excess fat. Here are seven great options for when you’re desperate to do a little snacking.

Nuts

As it turns out, you’d have to be totally “nuts” to pass on this remarkably healthy snack food. Research has suggested that eating mixed nuts can increase your life expectancy and lessen your risk of developing a number of serious diseases. Nuts are also easy to eat and convenient to pack, making them a great snack to take with you during your day.

Greek Yogurt

While some folks swear that all dairy is a problem, Greek yogurt has been proven to be a healthy snack option. With its mix of calcium, potassium, and protein, the yogurt will be filling and nutritious. For added flavor, consider eating your yogurt with antioxidant-rich berries.

Fried Eggs

While past studies raised concerns about the cholesterol in eggs, recent research suggests that they’re perfectly healthy snacks. It’s fried eggs that make the list because they’re quick and easy to cook, but eggs prepared in any fashion will do the trick. Hard boiled eggs are easier to pack, while scrambled eggs with veggies provide a larger snack that borders on a small meal.

Carrots With Peanut Butter

Great for your eyes and low on calories, carrots are truly the perfect snacking vegetable. Baby carrots are also easy and convenient to pack and eat while working or relaxing. To make the carrots a bit more filling, consider dipping them in peanut butter. As you’ve read, adding nuts to your diet won’t be a bad thing.

Apple Slices With Peanut Butter

Apples are the consummate snack because they’re delicious and easy to bring with you anywhere you go. While there’s nothing wrong with a plain, full apple, try slicing you fruit up and eating it with peanut butter to give yourself a bit of variety.

Fruit Smoothie

As delicious as popular fruits can be in their own right, they’re often even tastier when blended together in a smoothie. There’s really no limit to what fruits you can include in your beverage, but apples, bananas, and mangos are among the most popular. You could even mix in some nuts with the smoothie to add some crunch. Just avoid the temptation to include ice cream or other sugary ingredients that will take the “health” out of this otherwise healthy snack.

Cantaloupe And Ham

Cantaloupe is a delicious fruit that also has serious nutritional benefits. It is rich in antioxidants which will help your eyes and limit inflammation, all while preventing common diseases. Surprisingly, fried ham makes an excellent partner for this popular melon. The mix of sweet and salty flavors is bound to delight your palate.

There’s no reason you have to give up on snacking just becuase you’ve committed to maintaining a healthy weight. By sticking to healthy options like the foods mentioned above, you can satisfy your cravings without gaining weight. Once you give these foods a try, you might just find they’re your new favorite snacks.