Want to lose fat effortlessly? Then eliminate cookies, candies, chips and other junk snacks from your diet. You don’t have to starve. You don’t have to even deprive yourself.
The commonality between most “junk snacks” is that they contain high levels of processed carbohydrates and sugars. These processed carbohydrates and sugars will cause spikes of glucose, which will cause resulting spikes of insulin and fat storage. To read more about the effects of glucose on your body read this big guide written by me here.
Almonds
Almonds have been shown in medical studies to reduce your risk of heart disease when eaten regularly. They contain a fantastic profile of healthy fats and proteins, are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. My favorite brand of almonds are Blue Diamond Roasted Salted and Habanero BBQ flavored. There’s something in the roasting process that Blue Diamond does which makes their almonds have a more full flavor and crunchier consistency than other brands.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are considered to be even healthier than Almonds because they contain a higher percentage of omega 3 fatty acids in relation to omega 6 fatty acids. Mark Sisson advocates that that optimal balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids be a 1:1 ratio in his book Primal Blueprint.
I always have a bag of chocolate-covered Macadamia nuts on hand for when I get intense cravings for “junk” food. On the spectrum of “good” and “bad” things to cheat on, chocolate covered macadamia nuts are fairly healthy. Still- eat them very sparingly as they are high in sugar.
Beef Jerky
High protein, low fat, low carbs, and satisfying as hell. The only downside is that it’s expensive! But if your budget allows there is no better snack than beef jerky. Check your local farmers markets to find home-made grass-fed beef jerky. They have an whole new level of flavor than store-bought jerkys.
Protein Shake
After ten years of bodybuilding protein shakes have gotten very bland and boring for me. I would much rather eat a meal than chug a shake. However there are those times when you are in a hurry and just don’t have the time to make anything so a shake is a good option. Or if you’re weird and enjoy drinking shakes then go for it! Ultra Peptide makes delicious protein formulas that taste more like a smoothie than protein. They are a little more expensive, but if you want something that tastes good then get Ultra Peptide. Use this link to get $10 off your order at Bodybuilding.com If you’re undecided on what protein you want to get, here’s a good list of whey protein powders.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
If I know I have a busy week ahead I will boil a dozen eggs on Sunday. Then during the week when I don’t have time to eat a meal I’ll eat three or four boiled eggs. Salt, pepper, sriracha, and Heinz 57 are all great ways to flavor hard-boiled eggs. Be sure to buy free-range eggs. They contain much higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids(the good kind) AND they taste better. Crack a free-range egg open next to a “normal” egg and you’ll immediately notice the difference in how much more yellow the yolk of the free-range egg is.
Avocados
Try to keep at least three avocados in your fridge. When you’re in a hurry slice an avocado in half, scoop out the meat, flavor with a little salt, Heinz 57, or sriracha and you’ve just eaten 300 calories worth of extremely high quality fat that will keep you going for the next four hours.
Banana with Almond Butter
This snack is higher in carbohydrates so you’ll need to account for the fructose and sugar in your daily macros. It makes for a great post-workout snack to go along with a protein shake. Two tablespoons of almond butter with one medium banana gives you a perfect blend of carbs and fats for post workout.
