5 Best Low Calorie Snacks for Weight Loss: Best Choices for Your Diet
What Can be Called a Healthy Low Calorie Snack for Weight Loss?
Calories are a unit to measure the amount of energy in any food or drink item. A calorie is also referred to as the amount of energy released by your body when it digests and absorbs food. The higher the calorie content in a food, the more energy it provides to your body.
When you consume more calories than required, your body stores it in the form of fat. Over time, when you consume more calories than your body can burn, you gain fat and that leads to weight gain. Meanwhile, if you consume fewer calories and burn more of them, you lose weight.
Foods that are low in calories but at the same time filling and satiating for the stomach can be referred to as healthy low calorie snacks. These foods help in satisfying your hunger cravings and keep you full for a longer time.
What to Eat in Low Calorie Snacks for Weight Loss?
It is important to keep control of your calorie intake when you are trying to lose weight. Some of the low calorie Indian snacks for weight loss that can help include:
1. Makhana
Makahana or foxnuts are edible seeds of the water lily plant. The seeds are then dried and roasted and when they have popped they turn into makhanas. Makhana is a rich source of fibre and protein, both of which are essential for a weight loss regime and slow down the release of calories. These nutrients help curb your hunger pangs and keep you full for a longer time which prevents you from overeating. It has fewer calories than a bag of unhealthy chips or candy bar.
2. Roasted Bajra
Roasted bajra or pearl millet is a low-calorie-density whole grain. Such foods promote fullness even while being low in calories. You can roast a handful of bajra to eat with your evening tea as a filling snack for the sunset. Though it may be higher in calories than wheat or corn, millet is rich in fibre content which slows down the absorption of carbs and promotes healthy weight loss.
3. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chana or chickpeas are rich in plant-based protein and fibres to promote the feeling of fullness, further curbing your hunger pangs. Also, the low-calorie density of roasted chickpeas aids in better weight management.
4. Dry Fruits
A handful of dry fruits is all you need with your regular cup of beverage be it hot or cold. Dry fruits are packed with protein and fibre that further aids you in losing weight and reducing your cholesterol levels too. Studies suggest that the consumption of dry fruits may even reduce belly fat.
5. Peanuts Chaat
Peanuts help in managing and losing weight by promoting fullness due to their high fibre and protein content. This makes them take longer to digest and keeps your stomach full and satiated. Peanuts chaat can be prepared by chopping some onions and tomatoes, adding a hit of salt as per your taste and a dash of lime.
6. Buttermilk
Replacing your evening cup of tea with buttermilk can help curb your appetite and thirst simultaneously. A drink high in protein content, buttermilk contributes to weight loss. It is also healthier to consume a cup of buttermilk instead of having tea.
Snack | No. of Calories in 1 Serving |
Makhana | 104.1 (30 g) |
Roasted Bajra | 65 (50 g) |
Roasted Chickpeas | 82 (82 g) |
Dry Fruits & Nuts | 172 (28.4 g) |
Peanuts Chaat | 233 (75 g) |
Buttermilk | 40 (100 ml) |
How To Have Low Calorie Snacks for Weight Loss?
Though it is crucial for the body to consume sufficient calories to get you through the day, keeping a count and cutting down on calories can help you lose that extra weight. However, you cannot give up on physical activity if your goal is to lose weight. A healthy low calorie diet accompanied by regular exercise can be more effective for your weight loss regime.
Each food has a different serving size depending upon the calorie content per serving. Though it is best to limit your consumption of any kind of snacks to not more than 1 to 2 servings per day to avoid missing out on other nutrients that you can attain from your regular balanced diet.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Calories are a unit to measure the amount of energy in an item of food or drink. A calorie is also referred to as the amount of energy released by your body when it digests and absorbs food.
- When you consume more calories than required, your body stores it in the form of fat. Over time, when you consume more calories than your body can burn, you gain fat and that leads to weight gain.
- Though it is crucial for the body to consume sufficient calories to get you through the day, keeping a count and cutting down on calories can help you lose that extra weight.
- Some of the snacks you can consume to cut down your calorie intake include makhanas, roasted bajra, roasted chickpeas, dry fruits, peanut chaat and buttermilk.
- A healthy low calorie diet accompanied by regular exercise can be more effective for your weight loss regime. It is best to limit your consumption of any kind of snacks to not more than 1 to 2 servings per day to avoid missing out on other nutrients that you can attain from your regular balanced diet.
Also Read: Salad for Weight Loss
Friendly Asked Questions
What foods can you eat a lot of and not gain weight?
If you love your food and still your ultimate goal is to not gain much weight these low calorie foods might help.
What not to eat if you want to lose weight?
It is essential to keep a check on your calorie intake to maintain a healthy body weight. Some of the foods you might want to avoid if you want to lose weight include fried foods such as french fries and chips, white bread, candies, packaged foods and drinks and other kinds of junk food such as burgers, pizzas, sweets, etc.
How do I cut calories to lose weight?
You can easily cut down on your calories you are consuming to lose weight by swapping high calorie foods for low calorie foods and cutting down on the portion sizes.
What food jump starts your metabolism?
Lentils are usually low in fat and calorie content. All types of lentils – brown, green, yellow, red, or black are considered low-calorie food. However, experts suggest that green lentils are the healthiest lentils of all.
What are the best low calorie snacks for weight loss?
Some of the best low calorie snacks for weight loss include makhanas, roasted chickpeas, roasted bajra, dry fruits, buttermilk, etc. Low calorie snacks can fulfil your hunger pangs and also not promote much weight gain at the same time.