9 All-Natural Healthy Snack Ideas, recipes not included

Eating an all-natural healthy snack during the day is an excellent way to replenish energy and lose weight. Healthy snacks should be chosen with caution however, because many of the popular, supposedly healthy snacks are very fattening. They may claim to be low fat or fat free, but do not have any less calories than high fat foods. What the food label should say is fat free, but full of chemicals and sugar, reduced fat but loaded with carbohydrates. It is important to always read labels.

In many cases foods marketed as healthy snacks may be very healthy by themselves, but manufacturers are adding large amounts of trans-fats and sugars to improve taste and texture. Other foods that may seem to be healthy because they are low in calories, are highly processed and void of fiber, leading to unstable blood sugar and weight gain. The good news is that there are always healthy, delicious and affordable alternatives. The best place to find them is at the local health store or natural foods section of the grocery store.

1) Fruit bars - many fruit bars on the market are high in sugar and low in fruit. When choosing fruit bars look for 100% fruit with no sugar added printed on the label.

2) Carob - Many people like to use carob as a substitute for chocolate. The problem is that carob in itself is very bitter and so manufacturers need to add lots of fat and sugar to make it taste good. A better choice would be dark chocolate. When eaten in moderation it provides significant health benefits.

3) Popcorn - Corn straight from the cob only has 3% fat but when packaged it contains about 30% and can no longer be considered healthy or effective for weight loss. The best way to prepare popcorn is with a hot air popper. Once popped, lightly sprinkle with salt and a little bit of spray butter.

4) Health/Sport/Energy Bars - Many of these bars are rich in vitamins, minerals and protein but also are loaded with calories and sugar. The best type of health bars are those that are made from fruit, seeds and nuts with no high fructose corns syrup or other processed sugars.

5) Yogurt Cups - Fruit and Yogurt are two of the most healthy foods you can eat in their natural states. Unfortunately, yogurt cups are loaded with corn syrup. Instead, buy natural yogurt high in healthy bacteria culture and add your own fresh fruit and stevia. Stevia is a healthy herb that is 50 times sweeter than sugar and has no calories.

6) Dried Fruit, Fruit Cocktail and Fruit juice - Fruit is very healthy because it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Unfortunately, many fruit products have lost most of their nutritional content through processing and are loaded with sugar. Dried fruit may be healthy, but without the liquid it is easy to get far more sugar in your diet than you would like. Fresh fruit is always the best way to go in order to get nutrition and fiber needed for healthy weight loss.

7) Granola - Granola is high in sugar and carbohydrates. It is made with processed white flour and corn syrup which will causes rapid changes in blood sugar leading to weight gain. Instead choose whole grain cereals such as 100% rolled oats and sweeten with stevia or flavored, vegetable based, protein powder.

8) Peanut Butter - many of the leading brands contain hydrogenated oils, stabilizers and sugar. Choose all natural peanut butter that contains just peanuts or peanuts and salt.

9) Reduced Fat or Fat-Free Salad Dressing for Salads - Less fat reduces calories but sugar or sweeteners are added in its place. Removing the fat is not healthy because it takes away the bodies ability to absorb fat soluble vegetables in the dressing. The ideal dressing is made from olive or coconut oil.