5 Crunchy foods that help you lose weight

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Often when we eat, we take into consideration what it is we are putting in our bodies, how it tastes, and whether or not it's good for us. However, have you ever wondered how its texture influences your decision to eat it or not? It turns out that we often perceive soft foods as higher in calories which causes us to eat less of them, but when we eat crunchy textured foods, we assume they aren't as caloric and eat more.

So is that a good or a bad thing?

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A recent study done through the Journal of Consumer Research focused on two groups of people eating brownies. One group was given soft brownies, while the other was given crunchy brownies and during separate instances they were told to consider or not think about calorie consumption.

What researchers found was that those told to focus on calories ate more crunchy brownies, but when told not to, they ate more of the soft version. This means that we naturally perceive crunchier foods to be healthier and softer foods as being less healthy.

However this can easily skew our perception and keep us from making smarter choices. By knowing that we tend to eat more if a food is crunchy, I decided that the best thing we can have is a go-to healthy crunchy food list! Check out the foods below and don't worry too much about those calories. These are actually good for your waistline!

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Apples

Apples are my go-to snack when I need something filling and satisfying. They're full of fiber which makes them the perfect snack to have in between meals and can be paired with many things. Dip them in your favorite organic peanut butter or nut butter for that extra dose of protein.

Veggie platter

Opt for a crunchy veggies such as carrots, celery, snap peas, or raw broccoli with your favorite dip. While I recommend avoiding dressings high in fat, flavored hummus can be a great choice to pair with them. If you prefer a creamy ranch dressing type consistency, then make this easy and healthy kale dip which slashes half the calories.

Crunchy nut butter

One of my favorite guilt-free indulgences is almond butter because not only is it tasty but it's also good for you. Choose a crunchy version of your favorite nut butter and pair it with apple slices, a banana, or other crunchy veggies.

Popcorn

Popcorn is the perfect snack to feel like you're eating more than you really are. It's filling and the best part is it is very easy to make at home (which I recommend) and topping it off with your favorite seasonings. If you don't have the means to do so, opt for the lighter snack pack versions sold in stores–but avoid the ones that are slathered with butter.

Frozen fruit

If you're watching your waistline, then you'll love this snack in time for summer. Frozen fruits such as grapes, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries satisfy your sweet tooth and their frozen consistency take awhile to dissolve in your mouth. It will also ward off that ice cream craving!