Craving a snack? Put down that bag of chips and step away from that chocolate chip cookie. Instead, try these eats, which are loaded with healthy fats that help control hunger and promote weight loss.
QUIZ: How Much Fat Did You Eat Today?
1Hard-Boiled Omega-3-Enriched Egg
These eggs come from hens fed an omega-3 enriched diet, typically from flaxseeds. You can find omega-rich eggs at most grocery stores. Simply boil a small batch and enjoy one for a satisfying snack.
2Trail Mix
Make your own healthy-fats trail mix by combining walnuts with dried fruit like raisins, cranberries and apricots. Walnuts are comprised of 15 percent protein, 15 percent carbs and 65 percent healthy oils. They also have an ideal ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for your body.
3Flaxseeds Sprinkled On Salad
Just 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds contain nearly 200 percent of your recommended daily value of omega-3 fatty acids. Bonus: Make your own olive-oil salad dressing by combining 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon agave nectar, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard and sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
4Macadamia Nuts, On Non-fat or Greek Yogurt
A whopping 83 percent of fats found in macadamia nuts are the “good fats,” making this one of Dr. Roizen’s favorites for getting a dose of healthy fats. Add 1/4 cup of these nuts to your favorite yogurt and top with fresh berries for an extra healthy punch.
5Mini bruschetta
Take a slice of whole wheat toast, brush it with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and top with diced tomatoes and diced olives. You’ll get a dose of healthy fats from both the olive oil and the olives (three-quarters of the fat found in olives is from “good” fats). Plus, olives are a great source of iron.
6Handful of Almonds
For a quick, on-the-go snack, there’s nothing easier than grabbing a bunch of almonds. Not only are they satisfying and chock-full of healthy fats and vitamin E, but 23 almonds only has 162 calories. The nuts are also packed with alpha-linolenic acid, which revs your body’s fat-burning ability.
7Greek Guacamole
Puree an avocado, add chopped olives and tomatoes, sprinkle with feta cheese and you have a healthy guacamole that you can serve on whole-wheat pita slices. Avocados are one of the few fruits that provide “good” fats, with 3 grams of monounsaturated fat and 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat per ounce.
8Tropical Green Smoothie
In a blender, combine 2 cups fresh almond milk, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder, 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves and 1/2 cup ice cubes. Blend until smooth and garnish with shredded coconut. Serves 2. Coconut oil is a healthy fat, according to Dr. Roizen, and spinach is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, so you get two doses of healthy fats in one delicious serving.
