Snacks & Drinks
Liquid Refreshments:Flavored Sparkling Water: Bubbles without the sugar-packed calories.
Best Buy: Hint Fizzcomes in refreshing, zero-calorie, all-natural flavors.
Low-Sodium Vegetable Juice: Those made with tomatoes supply lycopene. A 2012 Nutrition Journal study found that this antioxidant may help lessen exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Best Buy: V8 Low-Sodium 100 % Vegetable Juice contains 140 milligrams of sodium per cup--65 percent less than the regular version.
Hemp Milk: This dairy alternative contains more heart-friendly omega-3s than soy and almond milk.
Best Buy: Tempt Unsweetened Hemp Milk has only 70 calories per cup and gets a boost from added vitamin D, vitamin B12, and calcium.
More: 7 Healthy Milk Alternatives
Coconut Water: Tangy coconut water contains natural sugars and electrolytes like potassium, making it ideal to drink before or after a run.
Best Buy: Zico Natural contains just coconut water--without any added sugars or flavors.
Green Tea: A rich source of catechins, antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol and protect against exercise-induced muscle damage.
Best Buy: Revolution Organic Green Tea provides a mixture of three Asian green teas.
Tart Cherry Juice: The antioxidant-packed juice can reduce muscle damage.
Best Buy: R.W. Knudson Family Just Tart Cherrycontains water and juice.
More: The Healthiest Juices of All
Snack Time:Popcorn: Crunchy and salty, whole-grain popcorn packs antioxidants and fiber.
Best Buy: Orville Redenbacher's Natural Simply Salted 50% Less Fat contains five grams of fat per serving and none from hydrogenated oils.
Hummus: Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, brim with fiber, protein, and brain-boosting vitamin B6.
Best Buy: Athenos Original Hummshas 50 calories and three grams of fat in a two-tablespoon serving.
Whole-Grain Crackers: A 2011 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine linked eating more fiber-rich whole grains to weight loss.
Best Buy: The only grains in Kashi Original 7 Grain Snack Crackers are whole.
More: How to Snack Smart
Beef Jerky: The high-protein snack keeps you feeling full between meals.
Best Buy: Golden Valley Natural Beef Jerky contains no added MSG, a food additive linked to weight gain that's used in many jerky products.
Dark Chocolate: A 2011 British study found that people who regularly eat antioxidant-packed dark chocolate reduce their heart-disease risk by a third. It's also a source of iron.
Best Buy: Dagoba Organic New Moon 74% contains more antioxidant-rich cocoa than sugar.
Trail Mix: Supplies antioxidants from dried fruit and healthy fats from nuts.
Best Buy: Naked Peak Energy Pecan Apple Flax Trail Mix contains raisins and oats.
Know Your Labels: Find out What Your Food Labels Really Mean and learn how to decipher them before you decide to buy.
- 3
- of
- 4
Discuss This Article