In college it can be really hard to maintain a well-balanced diet. When you are in a rush and looking for a quick, easy snack, you rarely think about the content of what you are eating, and you hardly ever think about whether or not what you are eating is helping your body. Don't worry, though—with a list of high-fiber snacks, I just did it for you.
Fiber should be a huge part of any diet, but for some reason many people tend to overlook the benefits. Fiber can help increase metabolism, keep you full for longer, maintain or lose weight, control blood sugar levels, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, promote healthy skin, and the list goes on and on.
A person should eat up to 35 grams of fiber every day, but most hardly come close to that. So what foods have high fiber? How can you incorporate effortlessly into your daily life? With these high fiber snacks, it is practically effortless.
1. Raspberries & Blackberries
Any berries really, but just one cup of either raspberries or blackberries has 8 grams of fiber. That's nearly a quarter of the recommended daily amount. Easy enough, no?
2. Think Thin Bars
The Think Thin fiber bars have only 150 calories and are loaded with 5 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein to keep you full. Not to mention they come in flavors like s'mores, salted caramel, peanut butter, and pumpkin spice.
3. GG Scandinavian Crisp Bran Crackers
Dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot, creator of the F-Factor Diet, centered around the idea of using a high-fiber diet to aid in weight loss and better health, advertises these all the time. In two crackers, you can add 8 grams of fiber into your diet. Not to mention these can be substituted for a bunch of different carbs in your life.
By adding sauce and cheese and putting it in the microwave you can make yourself a mini pizza in just a few minutes. For breakfast, top it with some Greek yogurt and berries for extra protein and fiber.
4. Apple with PB2
For those of you who do not know what PB2 is, it is basically a godsend. At just 45 calories per 2 tablespoons, you get the (similar) taste and consistency of peanut butter without all the sugar and oils. An apple itself has roughly 4.4 grams of fiber, and add 2 more for the PB2. For a crunch (and even more fiber), add a few Fiber One Original Bran Cereal pieces on top.
5. Popcorn
With 3.6 grams of dietary fiber in a 3 cup serving size, popcorn is an easy and quick way to stay full and satisfied. Add a few toppings to your air-popped popcorn to keep up your fiber intake while still indulging.
6. Pear
So it seems there is a trend with fruit. Extremely underrated, but also packed with 6 grams of fiber, pears are perfect for munching on the go. Eat 'em up, people.
7. Edamame
This may not be the most accessible snack, but half a cup adds 9 grams of fiber. Put it in your next salad and stay full for hours.
Next time you reach for those pretzels that will only keep you full for roughly 10 minutes, try going for the healthier, more satisfying, high fiber snack. You won't regret it.