If you’re looking for nutritious snacking solutions, try these.

As you get older, you may find yourself wanting to eat smaller meals with several snacks throughout the day.  This is better for several reasons.  Smaller meals help avoid insulin highs and lows.  If your appetite isn’t great, it can be easier to eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day. However, when it comes to snacking, it’s important to ensure that your choices are still healthy.  While convenient, most pre-packaged snacks aren’t as healthy as they claim to be – often including added sugars, salt, and preservatives.  So, if you’re looking for nutritious snacking solutions, try these:

1. Veggies & Hummus– Vegetables are full of healthy nutrients. Try cutting up carrots, broccoli and cucumbers, or purchase baby carrots and grape tomatoes.  Serve them with a tasty dip like hummus.  Hummus is loaded with fiber and protein and new research suggests it can even lower your blood pressure.
   
   
2. Fresh Fruit– Fresh fruit is always a great snacking solution. Fruit provides a healthy dose of fiber and contains natural hydrating juices. Plus, fresh fruit is loaded with antioxidants, and is a natural way to satisfy a sweet tooth.  Pair a banana or apple with some peanut butter and the protein will help keep you feeling fuller longer.
   
   
3. Cheese– Cheese is a quick and easy snack that provides a powerful protein punch.  Plus, it’s loaded with calcium to keep your bones strong.  Look for low-fat cheese sticks for a quick snack on the go or make your own snack sized baggies with cubed cheese and grapes
   
   
4. Raisins, Craisins & Prunes – Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries and prunes provide a healthy dose of fiber to assist with digestion and combat constipation. And since they’re naturally sweet, they can satisfy your sugar cravings, too.
   
   
5. Hard-Boiled Eggs– Hard-boiled eggs make a convenient, satisfying snack and are a great source of protein.  Eat them plain or dress them up as deviled eggs.  Make a batch on Sunday and they can last the whole week in the fridge in the shell or 3-5 days if peeled.

6. Nuts and Seeds– If you’re craving something crunchy, instead of crackers or chips, reach for nuts and seeds. In addition to being excellent sources of protein, nuts and seeds are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  And don’t worry about the fat content – nuts have the “good” fat and can provide a sense of fullness that causes you to eat less than you would a high-calorie, high fat snack.