Healthy Treats

INTEGRATING DIET PRODUCTS AND HEALTHY TREATS

Popcorn Pretzel Snack

There are all kinds of healthy versions of junk foods that can help your diet. Below is a list of healthy treats and some things to consider when incorporating them into your diet:

  • Protein Bars
  • Powdered flavorings
  • Sugar-free candy
  • “Healthy” ice creams like Halo Top and Enlightened
  • Dark chocolate covered almonds or dark chocolate chips
  • Kale chips
  • Treats that come in smaller packages of 100-200 calories (if you can keep it at just that portion!)
  • Popcorn
  • Pretzels

These products aren’t technically considered “clean”… as in clean eating. But are they bad for you? Could they help you lose weight?

Here are some considerations that can help you decide whether you’ll include these foods in your healthy lifestyle… and in what quantity:

  1. Does it agree with your stomach? Or does it cause bloating, gas, discomfort, indigestion, etc.? Many of these foods are highly processed and/or contain sugar alcohols…both of which can pose a potential problem for some of you.  For instance, you might notice that you can grab a protein bar every day, but if you ever eat two in a day, you have some digestive, um, issues.
  2. Does it satisfy your craving for something sweet? Or does eating one make you want to eat another one?
  3. Is it a decent substitute for legit junk food, or could you just as well eat “the real thing”? Many protein bars contain the same number of calories as a candy bar and don’t taste nearly as good.
  4. Are you eating this food in the context of a diet full of mostly whole, clean foods? As in, protein and veggies? Or are you relying on a lot of this processed, fake food to fill your calories?
  5. Will eating these kinds of foods occasionally (or even daily) help make your weight loss feel less restrictive and more enjoyable?
  6. Where are you on the spectrum of clean eating? Is clean eating more or less important to you than weight loss?
  7. Will using these products help you consume less calories overall?

 

Most people can incorporate some of these “healthy junk foods” or “macro-friendly treats” into their weight loss plan without any issues. As for most of us coaches, it really depends on the product. Some products don’t set well with our stomachs, some products aren’t worth the calories, and others are borderline addictive.

The point is, don’t just eat something because it’s marketed as macro-friendly. Do your research, and experiment to find out what works for you.

YOU GOT THIS!

Coach Ali

-Coach Ali

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