Momster

One of the most important things for me when it comes to being a diet success is eating a healthier diet. I do a lot of things to accomplish this: I make healthier holiday recipes, cook up easy and healthy breakfasts, make my grains low in calories and even rely on some healthy eating tips from Bobby Deen.

Above all, though, I try to make simple replacements in my everyday food. Healthy snacking is really important to keep your blood sugar stable all day so when it comes to my mid-afternoon snack, I rely on a few healthier options.

Instead of: peanut butter, Choose: almond butter
Why: Although peanuts contain vitamins, fiber and healthy fats, they are too loaded with omega-6 fats which distort the benefits of the omega-3s. Go for all-natural organic almond butter, which has the same good nutrients but a lot less saturated fats.

Instead of: diet soda, Choose: homemade iced tea
Why: No soda is good for you but a recent study found a possible link between drinking a diet soda a day and the risk of stroke and heart attack. Give up the sugary drinks and instead try some homemade iced tea sweetened with honey, agave nectar or Stevia.

Instead of: fruit-flavored yogurt, Choose: Greek yogurt with fresh fruit
Why: They are one of the most deceiving “healthy” foods since there is nothing good about sweetened fruit yogurts, which typically contain tons of corn syrup. A better bet is buying 0% fat plain Greek yogurt and pairing it with a cup of fresh berries.

Instead of: chocolate candy, Choose: dark chocolate peanut M&Ms
Why: If you’re craving a chocolate snack and simply can’t resist, it’s healthier to go for antioxidant-rich dark chocolate along with protein-packed peanuts. Don’t overdo it, though. A serving size is 1/4 cup and it’s the perfect amount for an afternoon lift.

Instead of: cheesy popcorn, Choose: do-it-yourself spicy popcorn
Why: This flavored popcorn variety is not much better than potato chips when you look at the calories. An easier choice is to pop your own, spray a light coat of spray butter and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg and chipotle powder.

What is your favorite healthy go-to snack? Want to be featured as a Diet Success story? Tell us in the comments below!

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